Alex Eala embraces pride, pressure, privilege of representing the Philippines

A packed stadium welcomed Alexandra “Alex” Eala at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Monday as she played her first match at the Philippine Women’s Open.

Tickets were nearly sold out as fans flocked to catch a glimpse of the 20-year-old Filipina tennis star.

After all, tennis rarely takes center stage in the Philippines, and even rarer with a Filipino emerging as a rising icon in the sport.

The match was delayed for more than an hour as several earlier contests went long, but the excitement inside the venue remained palpable.

Alex Eala enters Center Court for her match vs Alina Charaeva @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/BSs5XcU3GW

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) January 26, 2026

The tournament’s tagline, “Our moment to shine,” was seen across the stands, and it proved fitting for both Eala and Philippine tennis.

While other Filipino players are also competing in their first WTA event, Eala is undoubtedly the star of the tournament.

“Yeah, I would say there's a bit of added pressure,” Eala said as she played in front of her fellow Filipinos.

“That's the job. The job comes with pressure. Like Billie Jean King says, pressure is a privilege. I'm learning how to live in my own ways and I'm happy with how I performed today.”

Eala defeated Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the Round of 16.

READ MORE | Alex Eala shines in Philippine Women’s Open, beats Charaeva to reach Round of 16

The world No. 49, however, admitted that the pressure she experiences is far removed from what many Filipinos face on a daily basis.

"I think I do my best because I know that especially in international stages, I represent quite a big demographic," Eala said.

"It's such an honor to have this support and this community rally behind me. So I do my best to give back to them and do what I can through my tennis, through my hard work."

With her rise in global tennis, Eala also carries the hopes and dreams of a nation — or perhaps at least one little girl who aspires to follow the same path she took.

It is the everyday struggles of ordinary Filipinos, however, that keep Eala humbled and grounded.

“Sometimes when all this attention and pressure gets a bit overwhelming for me, that's kind of what I repeat to myself. That's what makes me feel small again and pulls me back to the ground,” she said.

“The everyday person, not only Filipinos, everyone around the world has their own struggles. In the end, it's a privilege to be able to live out my dreams.”

“I’m a professional tennis player. I've worked my whole life to be a professional tennis player. I'm at the top of the game. I have so much to feel lucky for despite the challenges that come with my job,” she added.

Still, Eala takes pride in carrying the Philippine flag, along with the country’s aspirations of being represented on the global stage.

“I like to say that my greatest strength is my mindset. I don't know if that attributes to being Filipina or that's just something personal,” she said.

“But being Filipino on [the WTA] tour makes me unique and I take so much pride in that.”

“Carrying the flag with me and being the only one, seeing the Philippine flag in so many stages brings me pride and definitely motivates me.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News