FOR much of her life, Alex Eala has lived differently from most women her age.
While others spent their teen years in classrooms, school events, and boring home routines, the Filipina tennis star grew up traveling the world, training and competing in the hard-knuckle environment of professional tennis where the norm is fighting for wins, points and world rankings.
It's not an easy place to be in. The pressure is everywhere. You want to go where your abilities bring you. But to get there, you may have to step on some toes, create enmities and battle many demons.
READ On Women's Day, Alex Eala pays tribute to her 'amazing mom'
When you think you are alone in the pursuit of your objectives, you suddenly realize that many of your fellow competitors have the same thoughts, feelings and fears. Then the moment comes when, in the dog-eat-dog world where they operate, they realize there can also be room for kindness, empathy, and yes, friendship.
On International Women’s Day on Sunday, Eala reflected on the strong bonds she has built with fellow players across the WTA Tour, relationships that have made life on the road more bearable, and a little less lonely.
“I think this year one of my resolutions is to try to be more social, come out of my shell a little bit, and I’m happy I created a lot of friendships on tour,” Eala shared
Among those friendships are moments both on and off the court. This week at Indian Wells, for instance, she teamed up in doubles with American teenager Iva Jovic, who is not just someone she picked from a list, but someone she considers a close friend.
“This week I’ve played with Iva Jovic, we’re really good friends. She’s super fun,” she said.
But the circle extends beyond just one teammate. Eala spoke fondly about other players who have become part of her support system while navigating the demands of the tour.
“One of my best friends, not just on tour but in life, is Zeynep Sonmez. I’ve grown really close with her," she said. She also mentioned Victoria Mboko and Eva Lys as her other friends on tour. "I’m surrounded by so many amazing women.”
She also talked of the unique bond she shares with players who have Filipino roots, saying that having come from the same ethnicity, they naturally gravitate toward each other.
Among them are Canada's Leylah Fernandez and Australia's Lizette Cabrera, who are both Instagram mutuals of Eala.
“I’ve also bonded with other half-Filipinos on tour," she added.
For Eala, those relationships are more than just casual friendships. They are connections built on shared experiences from being a tour pro where they all feel the pressure of playing and winning while pursuing dreams of success at a very young age.
“I’m grateful I was able to build these friendships,” she said. “We understand each other.”
Then she summed it up in a way that perfectly showed the spirit of the day.
Eala said: “It’s girlhood.”
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