Alex Eala learning consistency while navigating criticisms

Being good in a sport is one thing, but being consistently excellent is another.

For Alexandra “Alex” Eala, that is one aspect she continues to learn as her career progresses, as she tries to emulate the consistency displayed by some of her sport’s greatest athletes.

“I think consistency is something difficult when you're on tour and you're facing so many of these players. I think you definitely have moments where you're playing better,” Eala said on Wednesday after her win against Himeno Sakatsume in the Round of 16 of the Philippine Women’s Open.

“I think that's what makes the greats great is that you’re able to show up time and time again. I'm learning how to do that.”

“I'm doing my best to maneuver every situation, because every day you wake up and there's something different. Like I said, that's what makes the greats great. And I'm trying to figure out how to achieve that also,” she added.

Along with the challenge of maintaining consistency, Eala has also received criticisms as she continues to develop her game.

For her part, Eala said she is trying to tune out the noise while being mindful of whose opinions she prioritizes.

“I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, definitely. And being a public figure, my results are out there, my games are out there. It's inevitable that people will have comments, whether it's positive or negative,” she said.

“My approach to it is that I have my team, and they will definitely tell me if there's criticism, or they will definitely provide me with constructive criticism.”

“They work in my best interest. They also give me positive feedback. So that's the, of course, along with my own opinion, and the opinion of my team, is what I prioritize, and they definitely give me two sides, and I know that they have my best interest at heart.”

Eala returns to action on Thursday, when she faces Camila Osorio in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Women’s Open.

—GMA Integrated News