Alex Eala may already be making history, but for the Filipino tennis star, reaching the top of the world rankings would never mean the end of her journey.
Now ranked world No. 18, Alex has established herself as the highest-ranked Southeast Asian in WTA singles history. But despite reaching new heights in her young career, the 21-year-old remains focused on one thing: continuing to improve and making the most of her potential.
In her recent interview with Vogue, Alex shared the mindset that continues to push her forward, even as she finds herself among the world's best players.
“I don’t think you stop hunting even when you’re number one in the world,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “If I actually get to number one, I can tell you. But I don’t think the hunt ever stops.”
For Alex, ambition is not simply about reaching a particular ranking. She wants to build a career knowing that she gave everything she could to become the best version of herself, maximized with full potential.
“I hope that after my career,” she said, “I can look back and be like: Okay—that is the best that I could have ever been.”
That determination has been evident throughout Alex’s breakthrough run in the professional tennis world.
She has collected wins over the recent months, defeating top players such as Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina, and Iga Swiatek.
READ: Alex Eala reacts to being the World’s No. 18 in WTA singles
Alex also became the first Filipina to win a WTA 500 singles title in Washington, D.C. and the first Filipina to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon, further establishing herself as one of the rising names in women's tennis.
Yet even as her achievements continue to pile up, Alex remains aware of the demands that come with staying at a high level. With that, she makes sure to be intentional outside the tennis court, strengthening relationships with her friends, enjoying time with her supportive family, and just be like any other Gen Z child.who turns into music and comfort shows to live a fuller life.
“I know what it takes to stay where I am,” she said. “I know I can tell myself the hard truth: If you don’t meet the standard, you’re not going to be here. So all this love and all this support that I’m getting doesn’t blind me from that.”
READ: Alex Eala now World’s No. 18 and the highest-ranked Southeast Asian in WTA Singles history
Her growing success has also turned her into a celebrity.
As her performances began attracting more attention from Filipino fans, Alex admitted that it took some time for her to understand just how deeply people connected with her journey.
“At first, it took me quite aback because I couldn’t understand how [Filipinos] could feel so deeply or so passionately toward the work that I do,” Alex admitted. “It was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I was famous.”
Her popularity, however, has also helped introduce tennis to a wider Filipino audience, with Alex seeing fans from different backgrounds embracing the sport.
“You have the hardcore sports fans, the girlies who like to dress up, the kids who are super excited to play with their friends—they’re realizing it’s a sport for everyone.”
Alex candidly described having experienced a meet-and-greet at a mall in July as a “very canonical Filipino celebrity experience.”
READ: Meet Miko, the brother of Alex Eala who helped shape her tennis journey
But behind the newfound fame is still the same competitive drive that has guided Alex since she began pursuing tennis.
Her family, particularly her late Lolo Bob, played an important role in shaping that mindset. Her grandfather introduced her to tennis, while her parents, Mike and Rizza, as well as his brother, Miko, helped build the foundation that allowed her to navigate both the demands of professional sport and the pressure that comes with it.
“The impact he had on my life is huge, so every major milestone I achieve, he comes to mind,” she maintained. “He and my parents built a great foundation for both me and my brother in how we approach not just tennis but high-pressure moments in life.”
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That foundation has become increasingly important as her career continues to move onto a bigger stage.
Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold are among the goals she hopes to pursue. And rather than limiting herself to a single target, she is keeping every possibility open.
“Everything’s on the table,” she said, with an easy grin.
For now, Alex is putting that mentality to work at the US Open. She has advanced to the third round after defeating America's Mary Stoiana and Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova, respectively, continuing her campaign at the year's final Grand Slam.