Alex Eala has been bringing pride and honor to the Philippines tourney after tourney, most recently winning the 2021 French Open girls’ doubles division.
Coincidentally, the day Eala and Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva won the Roland Garros title was on June 12, the country’s Independence Day.
“It’s actually (Philippine) Independence Day today so I hope I gave my contribution to the country,” said Eala after winning the French Open.
But in the singles’ division, No. 2 seed Eala was dealt an early upset in the first round by Great Britain’s Matilda Mutavdzic, 4-6, 7-6, 1-6.
To date, the young Filipina has two Grand Slam titles under her belt, both in the doubles division, with the first one coming from the 2020 Australian Open with Indonesian partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho.
That’s why the 16-year-old prodigy is motivated on bringing home a women’s singles Grand Slam trophy in the future, which would be a first for the Philippines.
“I’m working on it. I’m training really hard. I will be joining a lot of Slams,” said the Rafael Nadal Academy student on Chooks-to-Go Snowball.
“I try not to focus too much on results and I think if I’ve improved enough and if I’ve worked hard enough, then winning a Slam will come as a consequence of that hardwork.”
But the 5-foot-8 lefty has already won an ITF singles’ title back in January this year at the Manacor Leg 1, a testament of what she can do in the division.
However, Eala admittedly said she finds the singles more complicated than doubles.
“Singles is more popular than doubles and it’s also, in my opinion. a bit harder.”
Up next for the 627th ranked Eala will be the Wimbledon Open next week, which will mark her debut in The Championships.
