Alex Eala faces a Japanese player in PWO Round of 16

HOME FANS have nothing to worry with regards to the fitness of their lone remaining bet in the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 Philippine Women’s Open (PWO).

Alexandra “Alex” Eala assured that she’s fine and as ready as ever to go on a deeper campaign in the Round of 16 on Wednesday after a right leg injury scare in a rousing opener win against Alina Charaeva of Russia much to the delight and standing ovation of the enormous Filipino crowd.

“There was a bit of discomfort but it’s nothing serious. Physical pain is part of an athlete’s lifestyle,” said Ms. Eala after a brief exit midway through her 6-1, 6-2 first-round win on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center here. “It’s a part of the job so we have to find ways to best manage that and not let it affect us mentally.”

Due to said pain, Ms. Eala called for a medical time out for about 10 minutes trailing 1-2 in the second set but came back like nothing happened, closing out the WTA No. 163 Russian foe with four straight wins capped by a love in the eighth game for an electrifying win in only 76 minutes of action.

Ms. Eala, WTA No. 49, avenged her 6-3, 6-3 defeat against the same opponent in the 2020 Spain ITF and in the process scored her first home win as a professional since leaving the country as a junior to train under the wings of Spanish legend Rafael Nadal at his Mallorca academy in 2018.

With almost two days to recover, Ms. Eala’s fitness will be tested not before 7 p.m. at centercourt on Wednesday against either No. 140 Himeno Sakatsume or No. 204 Nao Hibino, both from Japan, for a seat in the quarterfinals.

As the first and only Filipina player to ever reach the WTA Top 100 and Top 50 list at now No. 49, expectations are high for the 20-year-old sensation to have a deep campaign and ultimately win it all at home, especially as the second-seeded player in the 32-main draw just behind German legend Tatjana Maria (No. 42).

Not to add that she’s the lone Filipina left standing after the quick elimination of three wildcards in Tenny Madis, Elizabeth Abarquez and Kaye Ann Emana, adding pressure each day to her run until Saturday.

“I would say there’s a bit of added pressure. That’s the job. The job comes with pressure. Like Billie Jean King says, pressure is a privilege. I’m learning how to live up to that in my own ways and I’m happy with how I performed today,” she cleared.

“Pressure is part of my job, but it’s nothing compared to the pressures that regular everyday Filipinos have to face providing for their families. It’s nothing compared to what my parents have sacrificed to bring me here.”

What’s easing that pressure and responsibility as the country’s tennis flag bearer in the international arena at a still young age is the incomparable feeling at last to strut her stuff in front of her family, friends and compatriots in the country’s first and definitely not the last WTA hosting in history, after playing overseas majority of the year.

“It really holds a special place in my heart. It’s my first-ever pro match at home and I was able to spend it around family and supporters surrounded with love. It’s very special,” added Ms. Eala.

“I represent quite a big demographic (Filipinos) in international stage. It’s such an honor to have this support and this community rallying behind me so I do my best to give back to them and do what I can through my tennis. 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.” — John Bryan Ulanday