MANILA, Philippines — Aware of the positive impact she's been making with her tennis career, Alex Eala hopes to keep inspiring the Filipino people especially the youth with her everyday job.
"One thing I've learned this past year is really the power of representation and how deep of an effect it can have," Eala said in an interview with CBS Morning Tuesday.
"When I interact with the people who support me and they tell me their stories, it really touches me. So, you know, I just hope that whatever I do and the job that I have and my day to day work inspires other people and inspires the youth especially to chase their dreams."
Eala has become a trailblazer for the Philippines in tennis, being the first Filipino singles player to reach the Wimbledon fourth round last July and the first Philippine player to win a WTA title last month in Washington.
Drawing huge crowds almost everywhere she plays, Eala also achieved a career-high rank No. 18.
Eala's US Open campaign in New York came to an end last Sunday, though.
The 21-year-old fell to world No. 14 and 18-year-old American Iva Jovic in the third round, 5-7, 6-3, 5-7, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the Filipino diaspora filled the stands.
"I'm here. I'm in New York competing in the U.S. Open. I'm from Manila. And, you know, a dream is only a dream until it becomes a reality."
Eala shared how she's handling the amount of spotlight she's been getting with her tennis.
I try not to look so much at the bigger picture all the time because I can get lost and it can get overwhelming with a lot of emotions, especially with the support that I get," said Eala.
"Being around these amazing peers that I have and sharing the stage with people I've looked up to, even Coco (Gauff), even though she's just a year older than me, I grew up watching her on TV. And of course, Venus (Williams) being a legend to be able to share the stage with these people is amazing."
Eala will next compete at the Singapore Open slated from September 21 to 27.
