Filipino tennis star Alex Eala said she is honored to be compared with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, but acknowledged that their journeys are distinctly different.
At a pre-tournament news conference for the Cincinnati Open, Eala, who grew up watching Pacquiao's fights, said she never imagined that she would one day be compared with the Filipino boxing icon.
Eala also expressed her gratitude to Pacquiao for paving the way for Filipino athletes and inspiring a sense of pride among Filipinos.
Pacquiao recently congratulated Eala in a social media post for bringing honor and victory to the Philippines, saying Filipinos are cheering for and proud of the tennis star.
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"Pacquiao is such a sporting legend for us Filipinos and he's done a lot for us athletes," Eala said.
"It never really crossed my mind when I was watching his fights back home that one day I would be compared to him. And I think the feeling that Pacquiao gave the Filipinos was great to have someone to rally over. And, you know, when he would have fights, everyone was so excited and it was just a chance for people to come together," she added.
Eala said she was flattered by the comparison, noting that while her journey may similarly inspire Filipinos, she and Pacquiao have followed very different paths.
"They are two very different journeys. So, I don't think one takes away from the other. I think I'm still very, very far from the levels of Pacquiao but I think they both have their own beautiful set of characteristics," she said.
Eala is set to compete against Elena-Gabriela Ruse on August 15, Saturday.