WTA Tour is making a big rule change that Alex Eala will really like!
Alex Eala’s fast rise to tennis stardom has meant a super busy schedule, but that might be about to ease up.
Right now, Eala has played 58 matches in 2026, more than anyone else on the WTA Tour—five more than world number three Jessica Pegula. The Filipina has won 38 and lost 20, with her latest match a loss to Amanda Anisimova in the Cincinnati Open’s round of 32 on Monday night.
Cincinnati was her 18th tournament this year, and that nonstop playing is starting to wear on her. After losing to Belinda Bencic at the Canadian Open on August 10, Eala said she felt “tired and down” because she didn’t have much energy in the match.
“I think I’ve played really well and gotten through a lot of challenges,” the 21-year-old said. “Right now I do feel a bit tired and down after the match, but the good thing is I’m healthy, and I’m really thankful for that.”
Eala, who won her first WTA singles title at the Washington Open on August 3, now has a welcome two-week break before the US Open starts on August 30. Taking some time off from such a tough schedule is rare for her, but a possible rule change could help her and other players.
Many players on the WTA Tour have said they’re expected to play too many tournaments—especially the mandatory WTA 500 and 1000 events. But the Cincinnati Open director, Bob Moran, says that might change.
“When we designed the tour a few years ago, we wanted players to play more 1000s and 500s,” Moran explained. “They have to play 1000s, but we pushed the requirement for 500s too. Players told us that’s tough. I’m confident you’ll see that number go down at the US Open.”
Top player Coco Gauff agrees with this. She’s said before that the schedule is “impossible” to manage.
“I get why the rules are there for prize money and all that, but from a player health point of view, I don’t really agree,” the American said. “I’ve basically played as much as I can, and trying to do six 500 tournaments is just impossible. Especially now, with more events lasting two weeks, it’s too much strain on our bodies.”
Gauff thinks the season should be shorter, and changes to the tour’s schedule might be coming—though it’s not yet clear how many 500 tournaments would no longer be mandatory.