DESPITE a few setbacks at the start of a busy year, Alex Eala remains undeterred as the Filipina tennis star prepares for another tough group of opponents in the Miami Open, where she received a wildcard admission.
Eala may have encountered numerous challenges at the start of her year, but the teen star is still working toward her goals, and a successful push in the Miami Open might help her gain momentum.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has selected the young stud as one of seven wildcards in the tournament’s main draw, which begins March 18 at Hardrock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Big Names with Big Games
Eala, a junior doubles champion at the Australian and French Opens and a junior singles champion at the US Open, slid down to No. 140 in the WTA rankings, after reaching No. 134 earlier this year.
Despite being a highly acclaimed Philippine prodigy, Eala still has a lot to improve on her game, as shown by her recent performances. The Miami Open, with big names and big games, would be an excellent training ground.
Photo Courtesy: Alex Eala | Instagram
The 19-year-old Filipina will compete against former Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and Sloan Stephens of the United States as wildcard participants at the Miami Open.
Aside from them, the cast of wildcards for the highly anticipated tournament includes Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia, Victoria Mboko of Canada, Tyra Grant of the United States, and Sayaka Ishii of Japan.
Eala, on the other hand, aspires to improve her finish at the Miami Open this time around. In 2023, she advanced to the Round of 128, where she was defeated by Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania, 2-6, 5-7.
Raise the Flag
In a recent interview after being included in the WTA’s Rally the World campaign, the Asian Games bronze winner expressed her gratitude for the chance to compete on tour. She aims to be a role model for other Filipino athletes.
“Competing on tour and representing the Philippines means everything to me. Being a professional tennis player, and the only Filipina on tour, where I come from is such a big part of my identity,” Eala shared.
“I’m so proud to be a Filipino. It’s such a privilege to be able to represent the country. My goal is to inspire young women to take up sports, to take up tennis, to do what they love, and to follow their dreams,” she said in the video.
Before the Miami Open, Eala hopes to make a deep run in the W75 Trava in Slovakia, where she advanced to the second round after defeating WTA No. 137 Leyre Romero Gormaz of Spain, 6-4, 6-2.
