MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala has been known as a fighter in her tennis matches, enabling her to stay competitive in pressure-packed situations.
The Filipino tennis ace credited her grandfather Roberto "Bobby" Maniego or simply "Lolo Bob" and her family for laying the foundation that helps her stay disciplined and withstand high pressure moments.
"I think he (my grandfather) just instilled so many values in me through practice and my training for tennis has always been intense," said Eala in an interview with CBS Mornings Tuesday.
"So he, definitely him, and my family have laid out a great foundation for me to be able to withstand the pressure that you say about that come with being an athlete at this level and the discipline that it takes."
The 21-year-old Eala understands the pressure that comes with being an elite athlete but she looks forward to confronting it every time.
"It definitely comes with pressure," said Eala when asked if she feels pressured that fans are throwing watching parties for her matches.
"But the life of a competitive athlete comes with pressure and I think it says pressure. I have never been able to relate something more. And now when I face high pressure situations, I'm able to take it and try it.
"And especially with the experience I've been gaining this year, I look forward to being into in those situations. And, yeah, so this year's Open has just been so great."
Eala added that positivity helps her fends off pressure especially in her third round match against Iva Jovic at the US Open, where she lost at 5-7, 6-3, 5-7, last Sunday.
That also explains why Eala rarely, if not never, threw a fit even when things aren't going her way during her matches.
"I say that I can do it. There were a lot of points in my last match against Iva Jovic where I said I could do it, and I did it," shared Eala. "Yes. Positivity. I think once you go the negative route, at least in my experience, that does not normally go well. So, I do try to be as positive as I can be. That's a great lesson."
