Eala, Tjen, Pliskova Secure Wild Cards for Abu Dhabi and Cluj-Napoca

Casey Halston

Published: January 28, 2026 7:13 AM ET

Eala, Tjen, Pliskova Secure Wild Cards for Abu Dhabi and Cluj-Napoca

In a significant announcement for the tennis community, Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen have secured main-draw wild cards for the WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, starting on February 1. This notable opportunity marks an important milestone for the rising talents from Southeast Asia.

Eala and Tjen: Rising Stars of Southeast Asia

Alexandra Eala, ranked No. 49 globally, has made history as the first Filipina to break into the Top 50. The 20-year-old showcased remarkable skill last year by defeating prominent players like Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, ultimately reaching the semifinals in Miami. She also made her mark by reaching her first WTA final in Eastbourne.

Eala will be competing in Abu Dhabi for the second time, seeking to improve upon her previous first-round exit in 2024 against Magda Linette. On the other hand, Janice Tjen’s journey is inspiring; the 23-year-old quickly ascended the WTA Tour following her graduation from Pepperdine University in 2024. Tjen broke into the Top 100 just 16 months after being unranked, becoming the first Indonesian player to achieve this feat since Angelique Widjaja in 2004.

Recent Achievements

Tjen finished 2025 ranked No. 53 after reaching her first WTA final in Sao Paulo.
She also won her first WTA title in Chennai.
Tjen made the second round at the Australian Open and is set to enter the Top 50 next week.

Strong Competition Awaits in Abu Dhabi

The field for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open includes four major titlists: Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Sofia Kenin, and Barbora Krejcikova. Defending champion Belinda Bencic is also part of the main-draw entry list. Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen returns from rehab in Abu Dhabi, while Montreal champion Victoria Mboko makes her tournament debut. However, former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury.

Cluj-Napoca and Other Tournaments

The wild cards for the upcoming WTA 250 Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca have also been announced. Former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova received a wild card as she continues her comeback from a 13-month layoff due to a foot injury. Currently ranked No. 1,057, she recently completed a promising third-round run at the Australian Open.

Slovakian Pliskova is joined by Romanian players Ana Bogdan (former No. 39) and Miriam Bulgaru (No. 199).
19-year-old Elena Ruxandra Bertea, who is making her tour-level debut, also received a wild card.

Elena Ruxandra Bertea has made impressive strides, climbing from No. 699 to No. 319 in 2025 with a 61-24 record in matches. The main-draw entry list in Cluj-Napoca features former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, defending champion Anastasia Potapova, and Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic.

Tournament organizers have also awarded wild cards for the upcoming WTA 250 Ostrava Open. Former junior No. 1 Lucie Havlickova and former No. 40 Tereza Martincova will represent home interests. Havlickova, who won the Roland Garros girls’ title in 2022, has made a strong comeback, climbing the rankings from unranked to No. 281.

Conclusion

The coming weeks promise to be an exciting time for tennis fans, with rising stars such as Eala and Tjen taking center stage in Abu Dhabi, alongside seasoned competitors. With these tournaments approaching, athletes will continue to inspire and elevate the profile of women’s tennis in Southeast Asia.