FOR most people, birthdays mean a break from work. But for Alex Eala, it usually means clay courts, packed schedules, and high-stake matches at Roland Garros.
And honestly, she wouldn't have it any other way.
Set to begin only her second main draw appearance in Paris and hoping to surpass her first-round exit last year, the world No. 38 embraced the familiar reality of once again spending her birthday grinding in practice and far from home, this time in the middle of one of tennis’ biggest stages.
READ Before French Open showdown, Eala celebrates birthday with Jovic & Co.
“Ilang taon na kong nagce-celebrate ng birthday sa Paris and Roland Garros mismo, and good sign yun, ibig sabihin naglalaro ako ng Grand Slam kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos,” Eala shared during the pre-tour media day.
There was no hint of disappointment in her voice, only gratitude, even if there is the reality of sacrifice.
“Syempre nami-miss ko pamilya ko sa Pinas, but alam kong trabaho ko ‘to kaya masaya pa rin,” she added.
At this point in her young career, birthdays have become less about stepping away from competition and more about appreciating why she is there in the first place.
Being in Paris every year around this time has become its own tradition, one tied directly to growth, opportunity, and the privilege of competing against the world’s best.
Eala is set to open her campaign against American world No. 17 Iva Jovic, who is a dear friend. She will also play doubles with another friend in world No. 9 Vicky Mboko.
This year, though, feels different in another way.
After steadily building confidence on clay over the past months, Eala enters Roland Garros carrying a noticeably calmer energy compared to previous seasons.
“I definitely feel more prepared than last year. I feel that I’ve improved a lot on this surface and as a player and the challenges that come with the surface,” said Eala. “We do the preparations to arrive at the Grand Slams well.”
The 21-year-old played through five clay-surface tournaments in Austria, Stuttgart, Madrid, Italy, and Strasbourg, before stepping into the second major of the year. She tapped in a 4-5 win-loss record across all of it with a best finish at third-round appearance at the Italian Open where he lost to world No. 2 Rybakina.
That preparation now meets opportunity once again in Paris, where another birthday week will be spent working, and for Eala, that has become the celebration itself.
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