EVEN before the Miami Open's official start, Alex Eala already flew to the States and has been practicing hard to prepare for the upcoming tournament.
Eala has been sharing the court with the top players in the Women's Tennis Association. That experience alone is already one for the books, say the parents of the teen prodigy, who have also flown in to Florida to watch her debut in yet another milestone in her young professional career.
"Alex is in awe of the world of tennis at the top. She is absorbing everything she can from the experience. The best part is that she has been practicing the past days with the other players at the highest level of the sport," Alex's dad Mike told SPIN Life.
French Open champ and WTA no. 16 Iga Swiatek of Poland was her latest practice partner.
Her first match in the qualifying draw, against WTA no. 104 Viktória Kužmová, commences Monday midnight (Philippine time).
Her parents will be there to cheer for the netter, though Mike says she's focused solely on the clay.
"I'd like to think that Alex is prepared for her match regardless of who is watching at the sidelines. She has done her work and I am sure she will give her 100%," he said.
Come what may, though, the juniors world no. 3 — who recently improved her WTA ranking to 736th — is grateful for the chance to play in the WTA 1000 tournament, which will also feature the likes of Ash Barty, Simona Halep, and Serena Williams.
"Being able to be invited to play along the world's best is in itself a reward for all the hard work that she has done," the older Eala added.
The Miami Open tournament, just a rung below the Grand Slams, will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and will run until April 4.
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