Alex Eala says medical timeout discomfort was ‘nothing serious’

Alexandra “Alex” Eala called for a medical timeout in the second set of her match against Alina Charaeva but quickly allayed concerns, saying the issue was “nothing serious.”

Eala defeated Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, on Monday in the first round of the Philippine Women’s Open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, marking her first professional match on home soil.

“Yeah, there was a bit of discomfort, but it’s nothing serious,” Eala said of her right leg. “I have a day now to see how it goes.”

With no match scheduled on Tuesday, the Filipina tennis ace said she plans to let her body rest.

Fortunately, Eala added that she has learned how to manage such situations and continue competing.

“I think physical pain is definitely part of an athlete’s lifestyle. It’s part of the job, so we have to find ways to manage it and not let it affect us mentally. I think kabisado ko na ang katawan ko,” she said.

Eala will face the winner of the match between Nao Hibino and Himeno Sakatsume in the Round of 16.

—GMA Integrated News