Alex Eala slowly coming to terms with her impact at home

Just beside the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center stands a structure featuring a mural of sports icons, with Alexandra "Alex" Eala depicted alongside the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, and Carlos Yulo, among others.

According to Eala, it was the first time she had seen herself on a mural, describing it as a “new experience.”

“Well, I feel very flattered, especially being alongside so many great names. It's hard to grasp, especially the mural, it's so out there,” Eala said during a press conference on Saturday.

“But I am very proud to do what I can, you know, and I'm so happy to be alongside all of those athletes.”

Eala has been open about feeling overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received over the past weeks and months.

“So much gratitude. I mean, it's so crazy to see this community rallying behind me. And, you know, this support, in the end has led to milestones like this — a home tournament for the Filipinas. So I like to think that people are really starting to get into tennis and are really interested in helping the sport and making it grow here. I'm so thankful to everyone who spent the time, big or small to support me and my journey,” Eala said.

More than learning techniques and strategies in her sport, Eala said she is also learning how to handle the attention — and the platform she now carries.

“I think I'm slowly becoming more aware of the gravity that people say I have here. You know, this is my home. So in the end, it's hard to feel like I'm all this and all that,” the Filipina tennis ace said.

“Sometimes people would tell me that, but every time I come home, I feel, I feel warm, I feel like it's a familiar atmosphere. Although all of this attention is quite new, especially with the success that came last year, I think I just, I'm still so excited that I'm back.

“It's a learning curve for me to figure out… but it's a really good problem to have if you ask me. That means I'm doing well and that I'm making people happy and I'm touching people's lives in a certain way.”

Eala is currently in Manila competing in the Philippine Women’s Open, with the main draw set to begin on Monday.

—GMA Integrated News