Only 17 and already an owner of one of tennis’s junior major title, Alex Eala would go a long way.
That is the forecast of Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino.
“Alex will go a long, long way in her tennis career, which, is just budding,” Tolentino hours after Eala’s breakthrough.
Eala beat the Czech Republic’s Lucie Havlickova, 6-2, 6-4, in Sunday’s final to rule the US Open girls’ singles title—the first Filipino to win a tennis major crown—at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
It was just early this year when Eala made her national team debut, competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
And at her age, Tolentino believes that medals not just in the pro circuit but also with the national team are what is next for the young tennister.
“We expect Alex to bring more honors to the country, and her accomplishment would definitely inspire young Filipinos to follow in her footsteps,” Tolentino said.
