Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Alex Eala is hoping to get more Filipino fans to support her tennis journey when she plunges into more professional tournaments next year.
The Filipina star seemed to have reintroduced tennis to the Philippine sports scene following her 2022 US Open singles girls’ grand slam title.
In 2021, though, is when Eala started to really earn her global prominence before the defaulted basketball and volleyball Filipino fans took notice.
Eala is currently spending her holidays in the Philippines and took time to watch the historic finals duel between sister teams Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans over the past weekend.
Inside the Big Dome, Eala was among the league crowd record of 24,456 who witnessed the all-out support of Filipinos to volleyball, something that the 18-year-old hopes to someday earn as she sustains her rise in the world rankings.
“I didn’t know what to expect going into the game. But I’m so happy that this sport is very alive within the Philippine sport community and nakaka-inspire,” said Eala.
“I’m quite surprised that people know who I am here lalo na kasi siyempre puro volleyball,” she added.
The Rafa Nadal Academy (RNA) graduate returned to her career-high women’s world ranking last week to No. 189, which was also her previous Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) spot last October.
After claiming her fourth pro title last August in Spain, Eala continued to be on track for her fifth one and is eyeing more pro grand slam stints next year.
With her now decorated name, Eala will have no trouble convincing the local scene to pour the same support to tennis where she continuously brings the country to success.
“I’m happy to see that people are also following tennis and it really shows that my work also kind of makes a difference within Philippine sports and it’s just nice to see. I’m very happy and flattered that more people now are following my journey,” said Eala.
“Siyempre for tennis sana one day pangarap ko rin na maging ganito ‘yung atmosphere of tennis.”
— Nikole Javier
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
