MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis standout Alex Eala is keeping her focus firmly on improvement as she prepares for the next stretch of tournaments on the WTA Tour.
Beyond physical training, Eala is placing equal importance on strengthening her mental resilience—ensuring that both victories and defeats do not dictate her performance on the court. She credits her support system for helping guide her through the demands of competing at the highest level.
Facing world-class opponents in top-tier tournaments has been no easy task, as Eala regularly goes up against some of the best-ranked players in the world. Despite the challenges, she acknowledges that her journey toward the pinnacle of success is still a work in progress.
“It’s been really amazing. Of course, there have been lots of lessons, lots of ups and downs, but I’ve hit one year of playing fully on the WTA Tour since Miami last year,” Eala said in an interview with Iguales.
She also expressed gratitude to her team, composed of experienced coaches and trainers from the Rafa Nadal Academy.
“I’m really, really happy with what I’ve been able to achieve and with the work ethic of my team and our dynamic,” she added.
Eala is now gearing up for the Italian Open, set to begin next week in Rome. This comes after a string of setbacks during the clay season, but the young Filipina remains determined not to dwell on negative feedback.
Instead, she chooses to focus on the positives.
“One thing I try to keep in mind is that when things are going bad or when you’re losing, it’s not as bad as it seems. And when things are going well, it’s also not as good as it seems,” she said.
Eala aims to strike a balance—staying grounded while maintaining her competitive hunger.
“So it’s about finding that balance—staying humble but also hungry. I like to say: treat triumph and disaster in a similar way,” she added.
Aside from the Italian Open, Eala is also preparing for the prestigious French Open in Paris, where she hopes to continue her growth on one of tennis’ biggest stages. TMT
