Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala is now ranked world no. 185 to start the new year, according to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Eala climbed four spots from world no. 189, her previous career-best WTA ranking which she achieved on Oct. 2 last year.

“Starting the year with a new career high,” the 18-year-old athlete said as she shared the update in her Instagram story on Monday.

Eala made her professional grand slam debut last year at the Australian Open. She, however, bowed out early to Japan’s Misaki Doi, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3.

The Filipino teen tennis sensation has secured a spot in the qualifying entry list of the Australian Open 2024, which will start on Jan. 8, and will be seeking a berth in the main draw.

For her first tournament in the 2024 WTA season, Eala suffered an early exit on Sunday at the 2024 Canberra Tennis International qualifiers in Australia after losing to Switzerland’s Celine Naef in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.