Tatjana Maria happy to see Alex Eala’s growth in tennis: 'She's improving all the time'

World No. 42 Tatjana Maria is happy to see the growth in Alex Eala’s career and the rise of tennis in the Philippines.

The German netter delighted the Filipino crowd on Tuesday night after a two-hour, 23-minute showdown against Leolia Jeanjean, 7(7)-6(5), 6-4, in the first round of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philippine Women’s Open.

Though already out of contention after a stunning defeat against Tatiana Prozorova, 6(2)-7(7), 4-6, in their Round of 16 encounter the following day, Maria was pleased to have played in front of an energetic crowd and sang praises towards hometown hero Eala’s way.

“She's improving all the time. She's a really nice person. She's a really good player. It's really nice to see her improve. She just keeps going,” Maria said.

“She's a fighter on the court. What is nice for me is she's so young. Maybe she will play with my daughter one day,” she added in jest.

At 38, there’s nothing Maria has not encountered in her long and fruitful professional career when she turned pro in 2001, including seeing Eala grow up on tour. 

In 2023 alone, the German netter faced Eala three times, all of which she won.

Eala, though, has shown notable improvement over the past three years, and is now ranked No. 49 by the WTA backed by stints at the four Grand Slams.

“It's really nice for me to see also the improvement. She's positive and nice. I think every player would say that,” she said.

“We are seeing her all the time, even her whole family. I’m traveling with our family also. So talk a lot with her parents. It's really nice. It's nice to see how she works every week.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News