Alex Eala: ‘My Family Should Take Credit For The Foundation They Laid Out’
Alexandra Eala is having the time of her life at the Miami Open.
The 19-year-old Filipina tennis sensation became the first Filipino woman to reach the last eight of a WTA 1000 tournament after pulling off the biggest win of her career when she defeated world number two and five-time Grand Slam champion, Polish Iga Swiatek, achieving a semi-final slot. She earned a place in the quarterfinals after a walkover when Spain’s Paula Badosa pulled out with a lower back injury and after defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Her run made Alex the first Filipina woman to beat a top-10 opponent since the tennis ranking system was established 50 years ago
In an interview, Alex shared, “It’s a big thing to take in, and I feel it’s important for me to take it in step by step. I’m so super proud of what I was able to accomplish, but it definitely fuels me more.”
Moreover, she admits to recognizing her wins even as she prepares for her next match, saying, “I know and it’s in my mind that I have a next match, but I need to stop, and I need to recognize that what I did today was really amazing. I think my reaction on court, you know, sums up pretty much how I feel about it.”
Alex trained at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy. She was offered a scholarship after winning the Le Petits As as a 12-year-old and started living at the academy at 13. She graduated from the academy last year. While the tennis icon’s academy significantly shaped her tennis career, Alex never fails to acknowledge her family. “The academy has been my home for the past seven years. Of course, my family should take credit for the foundation that they laid out before they sent me here,” she said.
“But of course, the academy was able to build on that foundation in such a way that I’m able to be where I am now. And I think the combination of everything that I’ve been through since I started tennis is what led to this moment and what has led to me having all these opportunities,” Alex added.
