Filipina tennis player Alex Eala at the 19th Asian Games. Handout/POC-PSC Media Pool/FileMANILA — Alex Eala thrilled both national and international junior players in her appearance at the opening of the PHINMA J60 International Junior Tennis Championships in Makati.
“I'm just doing my best to do what I can with my career. So, I hope you guys will also work hard and show the world what Philippine tennis is all about,” said Eala, who won the tournament in 2018.
Speaking to a number of hopefuls in the event, the Filipina ace reflected on what helped her attain a junior's ranking that went as high as No.3 when she was only 13 years old.
“Thank you for making this tournament possible, to have a junior tournament is so important. Hope you can do your best here. This tournament meant a lot for me because it was at home,” Eala said.
The 20-year-old also touched on what helped her reach heights that included competing at Wimbledon Center Court.
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"Nakakamangha, kasi you only dream about that until you're actually there so I think my advice is to dream big and then to take it step by step,” said Eala, who has tallied victories over Grand Slam champions such as Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. “Not to make things bigger than they can be, but also to pay attention to the little things.”
"You know, when I play games that are higher ranked, my mindset is, guys, those are the best players to play because you don't have any kind of pressure whatsoever," the 20-year-old tennis star shared.
Meanwhile, PHINMA Chairman Oscar Hilado, who has been organizing this tournament for the last 20 years, also shared a message to Eala and the young players.
"Alex who has very generously agreed to share a message to this year’s players has already achieved so many firsts for a Filipina tennis player. Having made it to the finals at the recent Eastbourne Open and debuting at Wimbledon, Alex has truly experienced the stuff that dreams are made of. Tennis legend Rafa Nadal was quoted to have said that Alex’s performance at the 2025 Eastbourne Open was 'the first of many finals'," Hilado said.
"Alex, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on how far you have come and assure you of our continuing prayers for the many more finals to come," Hilado added.
Also present were PHILTA President Eric Olivarez, Philippine Tennis Academy President Romy Chan, PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza, and Manila Polo Club President Alex Revilla.
"You're looking at her where she is now, but you do not see all the hard work and all the sacrifices she made to get to where she is. Her parents' support, her own workout with her coaches, that is the price you have to pay," Chan said.
Eala is now turning her focus to July’s Montreal Open, and August’s US Open — the same tilt which she ruled the Juniors Division in 2022.
"The mindset I have when I join tournaments is that I want to win. But of course, you have to accept na lalo na 'pag Grand Slam, everyone is so good," she said.
On the other hand, the PHINMA J60 Tournament Main Draw Event starts Tuesday and the qualifying is being held Sunday and Monday.