Alex Eala sets sights on Asian Games after early exit in Singapore Tennis Open

Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s Singapore Tennis Open stint was short as she fell to Tatiana Prozorova in a hard-fought battle, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, on Thursday in the Round of 16.

After the disappointing loss, however, Eala still vowed to give her best in the upcoming Asian Games.

“I think I have as big a chance as any other person on the draw,” said Eala, the highest-ranked player for the Asian Games.

“I think once you compete and, like I said, once you're in the draw, you have a chance so I'll do my best.”

Eala also admitted that she would have wanted to go further in the tournament, especially playing in Southeast Asia.

“Like every tournament, I want to go far, but I think being in Southeast Asia is extra special,” Eala said.

“Feeling the support, and not just from the Filipinos, but I've been coming here ever since I was young so to be back as a top-level player, being able to experience this city in a professional way, being surrounded by family, it's a really nice experience to have. At the end of the day, it's more than tennis for me,” she added.

“Seeing my growth, seeing how I've grown as a person. I think my first tournament here, I was probably eight. I'm 21 now. It's nice to see how far I've come,” Eala said.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News