BEFORE the fierce baseline rallies and the pressure of a Grand Slam opener, Alex Eala spent her 21st birthday surrounded not by tension, but by friendship.
Just days ahead of her French Open opener against American Iva Jovic on Monday (Manila time), the Filipina star was surprised with a birthday cake by some of the very players she has grown close to on tour —Jovic, Zeynep Sonmez, and Eva Lys, during practice at Roland Garros.
READ Eala clashes with doubles partner Jovic in Roland Garros opener
Photos shared online by Owen Reynoldson showed a smiling Eala celebrating with the group in Paris, a rare pause before the grind of the clay Grand Slam begins.
The four later had dinner in Paris together.
On Monday, that bond will briefly be set aside when Eala, now ranked No. 38 in the world, faces No. 17 Jovic in the opening round of the clay-court major.
In doubles play, the Filipina ace is teaming up with another close friend on tour, Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the world No. 9, adding another layer of familiarity and friendship.
They will start their campaign on Tuesday, drawn against Leylah Fernandez and Diana Schnaider.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
