Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipina tennis star Alex Eala opened up about the pressures of professional tennis, her pursuit of perfection, and the challenges of sustaining success in a candid conversation with five-time Russian Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova on the “Pretty Tough” podcast.
The two discussed their experiences navigating expectations, dealing with setbacks, and finding fulfillment in a sport where success can be difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain.
“I love competing. I love fighting. I love winning. I have a crush on perfection, and I always want to chase it,” Eala said.
Despite her growing achievements, Eala acknowledged that reaching a new level in professional tennis does not guarantee continued success.
“Success can be fleeting. It’s never guaranteed. I told myself, ‘You know, you can achieve this level. You’ve proven that you can do it,’ but that doesn’t mean you’re there yet,” she said.
Eala also reflected on the mental and physical demands of high-stakes competition, describing her ability to endure difficult moments as one of the most important lessons she has learned.
“I think one thing that I’ve learned in the past couple of months about myself is my capacity to suffer,” she said.
Sharapova, who experienced the pressures of international tennis stardom early in her career, shared her understanding of the expectations placed on promising young athletes.
“I know what it’s like to be called an up-and-comer, a prodigy, someone that has the talent, the ability, you know, but are we going to see her shine?” Sharapova said.
The former world No. 1 also recalled a painful lesson from her playing days when she lost a match despite having an opportunity to serve for the victory.
“I remember a moment after a match in Cincinnati and I come off the court and I was up a break. I served for the match. I lose the match and my physio, not even my coach, my physio, the first thing he tells me is ‘you were soft when you had to be strong,’” Sharapova recalled.
The conversation also explored Eala’s early development in the Philippines, where she trained with her grandfather, Lolo Bob, and followed a demanding schedule that sometimes began at 4:45 a.m.
Eala described the routine as “rinse and repeat,” reflecting the discipline that shaped her childhood before she moved to Spain at age 13 to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Beyond training and competition, the two discussed the attention that comes with professional success.
For Eala, representing the Philippines has brought growing recognition and expectations from Filipino fans. The conversation touched on her adjustment to increased media attention and the responsibility she feels as a prominent figure in Philippine tennis.
Sharapova also reflected on the atmosphere of major tennis matches, recalling the anticipation of walking onto center court.
“One of my favorite parts of playing on center court was that there was no official player introduction. It is the doors open… and these two players that are competitors, rivals… walk onto this arena and it’s eerie,” she said.
The discussion eventually turned to fashion and the influence of personalities outside tennis, including Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
Sharapova shared advice she received from Wintour about preparation and making the most of opportunities.
“You have to make sure you do it right the first time because it’s less likely you’re going to have another chance to do something well again soon,” Sharapova recalled.
For Eala, the pursuit of excellence also comes with learning to appreciate the opportunities she has earned.
“Now that I’m here, it would be a big shame if I didn’t enjoy what I had,” she said.
