SEASters rise: Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen put Southeast Asia on tennis map

Posted : 20 May 2026

Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen have followed different paths to reach the WTA top 40, but both have emerged from a region that has rarely produced elite names in women’s tennis. Their rise has brought new attention to Southeast Asian tennis, where representation at the highest level has traditionally been limited.

Eala, who will turn 21 just before the start of Roland Garros, made history earlier this year by becoming the first player from the Philippines to break into the world’s top 50. Tjen, who turned 24 in May, climbed into the top 40 in February, becoming the highest-ranked Indonesian woman since Yayuk Basuki reached the top 20 in the late 1990s.

Despite coming from countries separated by more than 1,500 kilometres, the two players share a maritime connection and have formed a close bond on tour, sometimes even partnering in doubles. Their growing popularity has earned them the nickname “SEASters,” reflecting both their regional ties and shared success.

Eala’s rise has been accompanied by a strong following from the large Filipino expatriate community, which regularly turns out in significant numbers to support her matches around the world. The young star has admitted she was initially surprised by the scale of her growing fan base but has since embraced the attention while trying to stay focused on her performance.

Her popularity has also been noticed by fellow players, with competitors acknowledging the energetic atmosphere her supporters create at tournaments. However, Eala has stressed the importance of maintaining balance, explaining that while she values the support, her main focus remains on her own development and performance.

Tjen, representing Indonesia, has also become a source of pride for her nation of over 280 million people. She has remained grounded despite her rise, often downplaying external expectations and focusing instead on hard work and consistency as she continues to develop on the WTA Tour.

Both players are part of a wider regional emergence, alongside rising talents from Thailand also approaching the top 100. Eala has expressed pride in being part of a growing Southeast Asian presence in women’s tennis, highlighting the shared culture and connection among players from the region.

Eala’s journey began when she left home at the age of 12 to join the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, where she developed her game and later won the US Open junior title in 2022. Her admiration for Rafael Nadal has influenced her mentality, particularly her resilience in tough matches and willingness to push her physical limits.

Tjen’s path has been different, shaped by US college tennis through scholarships at Oregon and Pepperdine University. She only recently transitioned fully to clay-court tour-level competition and has openly acknowledged the challenges of life on the professional circuit, including constant travel and time away from home.

Despite their different backgrounds, both players now stand as symbols of a new era for Southeast Asian tennis, breaking barriers and steadily establishing themselves on the global stage.

SEASters rise: Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen put Southeast Asia on tennis map

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