MANILA, Philippines — When one earns a lot of money at a young age, it's easy to become a big spender, feeling that fountain of wealth will never run out.
Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala said she makes sure not to fall into that potential trap, as the 21-year-old saves a lot and invests the money she earned from her WTA tournaments.
"Well, my first big investment in general, not just with my earnings from Wimbledon, with my earnings in general, I invest in my future. So I save a lot of money," said Eala in a press conference Tuesday.
"I like to be cautious with my money. I'm still so young. So I am so lucky and blessed to be under the guidance of my parents, under the guidance of my family at BPI, to learn to manage that well."
Eala secured the biggest payout of her WTA career yet following her historic Wimbledon run where she became the first Filipino singles player to reach the London grass major last 16.
For reaching the singles fourth round and an appearance in the doubles first round, Eala earned a total of £309,000 or P25.39 million (subject to tax deductions).
Of course, it does not mean that Eala is not treating herself at all especially with a big payout she just had in Wimbledon.
"And yes, Zeynep (Sönmez) and I came out and we said it as kind of a fun thing," said Eala, alluding to that viral video with the Turkish netter where she said she needs a third or fourth round Slam money to go shopping.
"But yes, we have talked about going shopping together and getting those matching bags. So I think I'm going to see her again, maybe in the US or Canada. So we will get together then for sure."
Eala returned to the country on Sunday and has been holding a series of meet-and-greets with fans as well as media availability.
The lefty netter on Monday also went to the Malacañang Palace, where President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos conferred her with the presidential citation to honor her historic Wimbledon run.
