Alex Eala: 'My net game is in the process of improvement'

HONG KONG — When Australia's Emerson Jones walked onto Centre Court on Tuesday night as Alexandra Eala's opponent, many tennis fans looked visibly confused.

They had been expecting Eala to face Alycia Parks, who could not compete due to a shoulder injury, resulting in a last-minute withdrawal.

The last minute change, however, did not deter Eala as dispatched Jones 6-4, 6-3.

During Tuesday's match, keen-eyed fans noticed tape on Eala's right knee, sparking initial worries about a possible injury.

But Eala was quick to quash any concerns, assuring reporters that she is feeling good.

“It's the end of the year, so [the taping is] nothing out of the ordinary. I'm healthy, I'm happy, so [I'm] super blessed,” she told members of the press.

Throughout the 2026 season, notable improvements have been visible in Eala's court coverage, particularly her volleys and net play.

Eala shared that she is actively working on her net game, acknowledging it as an aspect of her toolkit that is still “in the process of improvement.”

“As my level rises, I think it's also in the process of becoming better. I think I still have room for improvement, although it's been very useful this year. There's still a bit more I want to do with that,” she explained.

Season 2026

Asked to personally assess her 2026 season, Eala chose two defining words: amazing and incredible.

“I don't want to get too into it yet. I feel like if I get too into it, it will become quite emotional because of the year I've had. But, you know, I'm still in the tournament. I am still motivated to go as far as I can here, but my year's been absolutely just incredible and I'm so grateful for everything that I've been through,” she said.

Addressing observers' comments about appearing fatigued lately, Eala pointed out that hitting a career-high ranking of World No. 17 overshadows any physical weariness.

“If I'm tired and I'm 17 in the world, that's great. Being tired is a blessing as well. Being tired means that I've been working hard, I've been having lots of matches, competing a lot. Being tired means that I'm healthy enough to work,” she said.

“I'm healthy enough and in a healthy mindset to put myself in these situations of pressure. So, yes, I think I'm doing great. Amazing,” added Eala.

Eala will next face the Czech Republic's Tereza Valentova in the second round of the Prudential Hong Kong Open at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.

Support for a kababayan

A group of Filipinos carried Philippine flags and photographs of Eala, whom they look up to as a source of inspiration at a time when news from their home country has left them feeling weary.

As they waited, Rizza Eala walked past them carrying a cold drink in her left hand, wearing a white shirt and sunglasses.

There was no fanfare for the mother of the World No. 17, who has built a loyal following on the professional tennis tour since her breakthrough performance in the 2025 Miami Open.

When a Filipino fan spotted her walking along Victoria Park amid a light drizzle, Rizza — who was walking alone — graciously paused for a photo when asked.

When told how wonderful it is that she and her family raised such a grounded person, a visibly shy Rizza responded with a smile and said: “Thank you so much for that compliment. Enjoy the match.”

Back at the stadium entrance on a Tuesday afternoon, Zel Cuevas, originally from Mandaue City, Cebu, stood with two friends, hoping to score tickets from last-minute cancellations as tickets were sold out.

“We are hoping that there will be available tickets, so we will just wait here,” said Cuevas, who has worked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong for 15 years, has followed Eala's career for two years.

Cuevas said she also follows Gilas Pilipinas because they bring pride to the country in the same way that Eala brings joy and honor to overseas Filipino workers like herself.

Since Eala's match fell on a weekday, Cuevas requested a shift in her weekend day off, and her supportive employer readily approved the change.

“Akong gistoryahan akong amo about niya. Supportive ra pud si amo nako. I will stand for Alex gyud. Nakita nimo iyang video sa Ningbo? Maka-proud kaayo natong mga Pinoy nga daghan tawo ganahan pud niya,” Cuevas said.

(I told my employer about her. They are very supportive about me watching this game. I will stand for Alex no matter the results. Have you seen the video during the Ningbo Open in China? It is a source of pride for us Filipinos that many people like her.)

Filipino journalist Leo Deocadiz shared his personal account of the strong and visible support of the local Filipino community for Eala.

Deocadiz, who has been based in Hong Kong for over 30 years, noted that Eala's rise in professional tennis has drawn in a new demographic of fans who may not yet be familiar with traditional tennis rules and etiquette.

However, they bring an energy that Hong Kong has not seen in local venues for some time.

“There is vibrancy in this kind of support. Alex is very lucky in that sense to have these people behind her. The domestic helpers would request a day off so they can come, watch, and support her,” he said.

There was a delay but empty seats were quickly filled with eager supporters, ready with their red, white, and blue flags to cheer for their hometown hero.

At around 7:34 p.m., Eala walked in as the entire Centre Court erupted in cheers and applause.

Chants of “laban,” “puso,” and “let's go Alex” echoed through every section.

From the sheer volume of Filipinos in the crowd, it was easy to think that Eala was playing right at home in Manila.

During her post-match on-court interview, Eala said there is no better place to cap off her 2026 season than in Hong Kong.

She thanked the Filipino community for tirelessly waving the country's flag to support her tennis journey.

Even at 10:33 p.m., long after all matches had concluded, Filipinos were still waiting inside the tournament grounds and outside the tennis stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of Eala.

'The biggest honor'

During the Philippine Women’s Open in Manila last January 2026, the stands at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center drew a distinct generation of fans: tennis enthusiasts named after legends like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Simona Halep, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.

Among them was a pregnant fan sharing that she was considering naming her daughter after the Filipino tennis ace and her best friends.

She was weighing two prospective pairings: Alexandra Iva or Alexandra Zeynep.

Ten months later, at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, Eala was met with the anecdote.

The World No. 17 was visibly delighted and instantly quipped that she could not wait to share the story with her close friends, America's Iva Jovic and Turkey's Zeynep Sönmez.

Asked how she felt about the gesture, Eala reflected: “I think that's one of the biggest honors ever, because the way I see it, having children is the biggest thing you're ever going to do in your life and I feel so honored.”

“I’ve met maybe one or two people who have approached me and said that and it's, wow! It just makes me want to hug them and say thank you for the support.”

For Eala, the gesture runs deeper than athletic success, showing her that “people really see me for who I am.”

While winning matches remains the ultimate goal, Eala emphasized that who she is matters far more than how she plays.

Eala is set to face the Czech Republic's Tereza Valentova on November 5 for a second-round showdown at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.

The tournament marks Eala's final stop of the 2026 season before taking a brief off-season break ahead of her 2027 campaign kick-off in January. — BAP, GMA News