Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala remains proud to represent the country after winning her second Grand Slam title last week.
In a taped interview with CNN Philippines’ New Day which aired on Monday, Eala shared what it is like to be the only one representing the Philippines in the Women’s Tennis Association circuit and soaring high in the juniors scene.
“It makes me really proud. It gives me confidence to know that I worked so hard to get here,” Eala said.
She expressed confidence that her achievements could also drive other aspiring Filipino athletes to excel and bring pride to the country.
“But it also makes me want to inspire other Filipinos to pursue sports or anything they want, it could be tennis or whatever, because I know that we are capable and I know that we have the potential to do it,” she added.
As the country marked Independence Day last Saturday, the 16-year-old Eala and her Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva took home the 2021 French Open girls doubles champions in sensational fashion against the pair of Russia’s Maria Bondarenko and Hungary’s Amarissa Kiara Tóth, 6-0, 7-5.
READ: Alex Eala takes home 2021 French Open girls doubles crown
Eala even offered her win to the country and thanked Filipinos for their support during her acceptance speech.
“It was a really proud moment for me and it made me really proud to be from the Philippines,” she shared.
While she is not among the country’s representatives for the Tokyo Olympics happening next month, Eala is definitely not closing her doors on a possible bid a few years from now.
“It’s still quite a bit far, a long way to go, but definitely a long-term plan,” she noted.
Eala is set to compete in the Women’s 25k tournament in Madrid, Spain this week before heading to Wimbledon 2021 in London at the end of the month.
