ALEX Eala arrives in Melbourne for her first Australian Open main draw appearance with little time to pause and plenty to reflect on.
The end of last year and the start of this one blurred together.
December saw her bring home a Southeast Asian Games gold medal for the Philippines. It also meant a brief visit home and a frontrow view of another milestone: the country’s first-ever WTA 125 tournament.
Come January, she warmed up in Auckland, reaching the semifinals of the ASB Classic.
All of it unfolding while preparing for the season’s first Grand Slam.
The Australian Open completes the set for Eala after appearances at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open in 2025.
READ: Alex Eala draws world No. 100 for Australian Open debut
Now ranked No. 49 in the world, the 20-year-old knows the schedule has been heavy. She also understands how rare the opportunity is.
“I try to take it with a spoonful of gratitude,” Eala said during a pre-tournament press conference. “Not a lot of people get to experience being here in this lifetime.”
“It’s been a busy month, but there were so many blessings and memorable moments,” she added. “My team has done well to arrive here in the best shape possible.”
Philippine tennis on the up and up
Beyond Melbourne, Eala is keeping an eye on what awaits back home. The Philippines will host its first WTA 125 tournament on January 26, midway through the Australian Open fortnight.
“I’m so, so happy that it’s finally coming together,” she said. “It’s been a dream to have a home tournament at the WTA level. It’s a huge step for tennis in the Philippines.”
She believes the event can help grow the sport in a country where tennis still plays on the sidelines behind basketball and volleyball.
“When I come home, my cousins tell me it’s so hard to book a court now,” Eala said. “That always makes me happy.”
In Australia, support has also been easy to find. Filipino fans have turned out in growing numbers, making distant courts feel familiar.
“It’s been amazing in this part of the world,” she said. “They’re excited to see me. It’s flattering, and I feel welcomed.”
In Melbourne, Eala banks on grace and gratitude to carry momentum, perspective, and a clear sense of where she stands.
The rising star will open her journey against American Alycia Parks, with the exact date and time still to be determined.
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