Alex Eala rubs in Filipino pride as she strives to become a role model for the young women struggling to make their place on the tennis court

Talking to The National on the sidelines of the Madrid Open, Eala talked about the culture in her country and how everyone is excited to watch others excel in their respective fields. The 18-year-old said that she is happy to have a fanbase.

It’s a privilege to have all this love and this fanbase. I think the Filipinos they’re very hungry to see other Filipinos excel, and I’m also like that. When other athletes and other Filipinos excel, we get very excited, because you don’t see it very often. And I’m really happy to bring that pride and to be able to be a part of that. Alex Eala said to The National.

Alex Eala aims high as she looks up to Maria Sharapova!

While Alex Eala grew up watching national hero Manny Pacquiao, her tennis idol is none other than five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova. Eala says that she had a poster of the Russian ace in her room and that she likes how Sharapova fought for every ball.

I had a poster of her in my room, she was my fifth-grade project. I like her style, I like how she fought and ran after every ball. Alex Eala said.

The youngster also talked about her experience at the Rafael Nadal Academy. Eala said that spending time and practicing in Spain exposed her to more opportunities. She also mentioned the additional benefit of playing at the reputed academy- to be able to see Rafael Nadal from close quarters.

She further talked about her ambitions and how she wants to make the most of the opportunity of getting a chance to play at big tournaments. The 18-year-old mentioned that as she is in Madrid, she got a chance to practice with Beatriz Haddad Maia and it was great for her.

Notably, Eala defeated Lesia Tsurenko in the first round of the Madrid Open and faced Sorana Cirstea in the second round. It is to be seen how far the Phillippine manages to go at the WTA 1000 event.