TRUTH be told, in today’s world, engagement is king.
And inside the arena itself, game tickets are the ultimate proof of being ‘HIM.’
By filling seats and selling out arenas across six tournaments this year, rising Filipina star Alex Eala put on full display time and time again that she is 'HIM.'
Easily one of the most talked-about players on the current tennis scene, Eala has steadily climbed the women’s circuit to world No. 32, while also securing a seeded spot at Indian Wells.
The 20 year old's growing following is undeniably a plus when it comes to opportunities — and that’s on top of her steady improvement on the court.
Even she acknowledges it.
“It’s more [of] pride [than pressure], it’s a blessing to have this support behind me,” Eala said in an interview during her Australian Open debut last January, talking, of course, about her now-signature legions of fans following her in venues.
A few tournaments later, including a series of upsets of some of the world’s top players —feats which actually first earned her popularity in Miami last year— Eala is now more comfortable in what was once-unfamiliar territory.
Entering the BNP Paribas Open, often called the 'fifth Grand Slam,' she has come to understand how deep-rooted the support is behind her.
Beyond unlocking more than a handful firsts for Philippine tennis, she’s gained a deeper appreciation of what her success means to her supporters.
In a basketball-centric country, Eala’s achievements are arguably comparable to a Filipino competing in the NBA, which, for now, remains farfetched.
“I’ve only dreamed of making tennis grow in the Philippines, and now, I’m bringing a whole new audience to tennis around the world,” Eala told Indian Wells in a recent soundbite.
“The Filipinos, we have such strong sense of community, and I feel like when one of us does well, or succeeds, we all have that shared sense of pride.”
For the love of tennis
At the same time, she’s giving back to the sport that has given her so much.
“It’s so nice to know that I’m doing what I can for the sport because tennis has given me so much, so anything to give back to tennis, I’ll do what I can,” she said.
Still chasing her first tour title, Eala admits that real work is beneath her progress; almost a year after her breakthrough in Miami, a milestone she calls a major 'career highlight.'
“Everything after Miami was a new experience. My eyes are wide open now, just eager to compete at this level,” she said.
Landing new opportunities and reaching greater heights haven't just meant climbing the rankings. Moreso, they've made her more mindful about her path as a quality player.
“I learned a lot about my capabilities, I improved a lot. I’ve always believed in myself that I could do it, but being able to produce and execute it gives a new layer of confidence,” she explained.
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