Filipina tennis star Alex Eala. Photo courtesy: PHILTA/Philippine Women’s Open
MANILA — Alex Eala is not looking far ahead despite her expanding reach and influence that has brought Philippine tennis with to unprecedented heights.
Eala, 20, insisted Saturday she is not thinking about her legacy just yet, and is instead focused on what could she could contribute for the rise of the sport in the Philippines.
Recently, she was even compared to Filipino icon and boxing's only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao during the Australian Open, where she drew large crowds during her match.
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"It's hard to think about legacy and what legacy I want to make because I'm only 20. I have a lot of years ahead of me. I have so much to learn pa din," Eala expressed during her media day for the Philippine Women's Open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
"I just do the best I can and hope that I can inspire people in a positive way. I do my best to carry myself with grace and with humility," she went on. "But then again, I think, thinking about legacy is something I haven't really touched on yet."
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Still, inspired by her rise on the global stage, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennis Association put together a tennis event, the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open.
Nonetheless, Eala is cognizant of her role as a catalyst for Philippine tennis.
"But I like to think that what I do and the success that I've had recently has been a contributor to Philippine tennis and the history of the sport here in our country, and of course, you know, the future of the sport," she said.
Overwhelmed in a positive way, Eala said it's surreal to have a WTA tourney right here on home soil.
"It's so, so, so surreal to have a home tournament and to see it come to life," Eala said. "I'm so grateful and so a little kind of in disbelief that it's actually happening."
Eala will battle Alina Charaeva of Russia in the Round of 32. Main draw of the tourney kicks off Monday, January 26.