MANILA -- Fresh off her debut in the main draw of the Australian Open, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is heading home.
Eala on Wednesday afternoon shared a photo from inside an airplane on an Instagram Story, with the caption: "Next → MNL."
Alex Eala is headed to Manila after her campaign in the Australian Open. Eala/IG
The 20-year-old is expected to compete in the inaugural Philippine Women's Open as a wildcard.
Her return to the country comes after a busy campaign in the year's first Grand Slam, where Eaela made her main draw debut in both singles and doubles.
READ: Alex Eala bows to Parks, exits Australian Open
READ: Eala, Martins ousted in first round of Australian Open doubles
In singles, she bowed out in the opening round after a three-set battle against world No. 100 Alycia Parks, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6, in a match that drew strong Filipino support at Court 6.
Eala also competed in the women's doubles, teaming up with Brazil's Ingrid Martins. The pair pushed seasoned opponents Magda Linette and Shuko Aoyama to three sets before falling, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 3-6, in the first round.
Despite the early exits, Eala's Australian Open run was marked by historic firsts, growing international attention, and vocal Filipino crowds that followed her throughout the tournament.