HOME FANS have nothing to worry about over the validity of their one remaining bet in 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philippine Women’s Open (PWO).
Alexandra “Alex” Eala confirmed that she is as fit and ready as ever to enter a deep campaign in the Round of 16 on Wednesday after injuring her right leg during her first match win against Russia’s Alina Charaeva to the delight and cheers of a huge Filipino crowd.
“There was some discomfort but it’s nothing. Physical pain is part of an athlete’s life,” said Ms. Eala retired after a brief exit during her 6-1, 6-2 first round victory on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center here. “It’s part of the job, so we have to find ways to manage that well and not let it distract us mentally.”
Because of the said pain, Mrs. Eala called for a medical timeout for about 10 minutes trailing 1-2 in the second set but came back as if nothing had happened, shutting out the WTA No. 163 Russian with four straight wins held to love in the eighth game with a dominant win in just 76 minutes of play.
Mrs. Eala, of WTA No. 49, avenged his 6-3, 6-3 defeat against the same opponent at the 2020 ITF Spain and when he achieved his first win at home as a professional since leaving the country as a teenager to train under the wings of Spanish legend Rafael Nadal at his school in Mallorca in 2018.
Almost as there are two days left to recover, the fitness of Ms. Eala will be tested before 7pm in the central court on Wednesday against No. 140 Himeno Sakatsume or No. 204 Nao Hibino, both from Japan, to earn a place in the quarterfinals.
As the first and only Filipina player uto once reached the list of WTA Top 100 and Top 50 and now number 49, it is expected for the 20-year-old to have a deep campaign and finally win it all at home, especially as the second player in the draw 32-main just behind the German legend Tatjana Maria (No. 42).
Besides adding that she is the only Filipina left standing after the quick elimination of the three wild cards of Tenny Madis, Elizabeth Abarquez and Kaye Ann Emana, adding pressure each day to her run until Saturday.
“I would say there is more pressure. That’s work. Work comes with pressure. Like Billie Jean King said, pressure is a privilege. I’m learning to live with that in my ways and I’m happy with how I worked today,” he said.
Stress is part of my job, but it is nothing compared to the pressures that ordinary Filipinos face every day to take care of their families.
What reduces that pressure and responsibility as the flag bearer of the world’s flag on the international stage at a young age is the incomparable feeling of finally putting his things in front of his family, friends and people in the country’s first and not the last WTA match in history, after playing most of the overseas.
“There is a special place in my heart. It’s my first ever game at home and I was able to spend it with my family and fans surrounded by love. It’s very special,” added Mrs. Come on.
“I represent a lot of people (Filipinos) on the international stage. It’s an amazing honor to have this support and this community that supports me so I do my best to give back to them and do what I can with my tennis. Sometimes when all this attention and pressure gets a little too much for me, that’s kind of what I repeat myself. That’s what makes me feel small and brings me back down again.” – John Bryan Ulanday
