THIS YEAR, Alex Eala had an outstanding performance and made significant strides around the world. However, the Filipina tennis star is far from pleased with her achievements so far, with her sights set on 2025.
The 19-year-old tennis star has set an ambitious aim for the 2025 season: break into the WTA Top 100, win a championship, and qualify for the Grand Slam main event.
This year, she reached a career-high singles world ranking of No. 143 with the WTA in July. She is the highest-ranked Filipino female singles player in WTA Tour history, surpassing Maricris Gentz, who peaked at number 284.
Putting 2024 behind
Looking back on her 2024 season and attempting to evaluate it, Eala expressed delight in her growth while admitting there were times when she believed she was on the verge of accomplishing greater things.
“A [rating] naman. You have to be happy. I do think that I passed a lot of milestones this year,” Eala told One PH. “There are definitely moments that I think I was so close to achieving more and hindi lang nangyari.”
Nonetheless, Eala is pleased with her performance and has made all noticeable changes on her end. Now, the tennis star is eager to leave 2024 behind her and start again.
Career-year ahead
Eala came so close to being the first Filipina in a women’s Grand Slam main draw, capping off a brilliant year defined by deep runs against more experienced rivals from around the world.
She subsequently moved on to the women’s competition, reaching the qualifying draw finals of the renowned French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open before falling short.
“This year, l’ve been so close. In the past three Grand Slams, I’ve come so close and ‘yan ‘yung sinasabi ko kanina-so close but hindi pa nangyayari,” she shared.
“Ranking-wise, I’d like to get close to 100.” She also wants to bring home at least one title in 2025. There’s no particular title, but l’d preferably like to win at least one per year,” she added
Preparation starts now
With her sights set on qualifying for the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open in Melbourne, Eala has undergone rigorous pre-season training with her new coach, Alrxandro Viaene of the Rafa Nadal Academy.
“Well, of course, fitness-wise, there was a lot of things. I think a general improvement every year is the goal,” Eala shared. “Of course, being able to endure or to perform with the same intensity and power throughout every single month.”
“That’s the goal and I think every year we’re working towards a better number. So I think I definitely feel that I improved,” the Filipina tennis star added, in a separate interview with a media.
The qualifiers for the Australian Open are scheduled to begin on January 6, 2025. Before entering the qualifiers and ending the year, Eala is scheduled to compete in a tournament in Canberra, Australia on December 29.
