Alexandra Eala talks 🇵🇭 Filipino fans, Sharapova style ahead of Rome debut

ROME, Italy—Alexandra Eala has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in tennis, and the fans at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia have taken notice of the teen phenom in her debut appearance.

“I didn’t expect such a big Filipino population here in Rome,” said the 19-year-old, who will play her first round against Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday. “But even just walking the streets, I’ve run into Filipinos five times already. When we walk in the streets, you know when you’re seeing another Filipino!

“It’s such a blessing, of course, to have such a big community. So many places feel like home because of that.”

I think more than my playing style, it’s more the attitude that you get from people. I also watched a lot of [Maria] Sharapova when I was growing up, so a lot of that grit and power I got from her. From Rafa, I got a lot of my fight.

The Filipino fans came out in full force for Eala’s breakthrough Miami Open run, where she reached the quarterfinals with victories over Jelena Ostapenko and Iga Swiatek. Facing off again last month at the Mutua Madrid Open, the Quezon City native led Swiatek by a set and a break, ultimately falling in three sets.

“I think, personally, I definitely prefer hard courts,” Eala told Tennis Channel on Monday. “That’s the surface I grew up on, although I’ve been spending time on clay from, obviously everything. From the junior tour you play a lot on clay, and now on the pro tour has its clay season. I like to think I’m comfortable on both, but still more comfortable with hard courts.”

The Rafael Nadal Academy alum has definitely spent plenty of time on clay, and looks to slide into her first clay swing by drawing inspiration from her idols.