Following another historic win for Alex Eala at the US Open, the Filipina tennis ace gave advice to those who target the same level of achievement.
Alex Eala was simple and candid about what it took to put herself in the history books, becoming the first-ever Filipino to win in a Grand Slam main draw following her three-set conquest of world no. 14 Clara Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(13-11) on Monday (PH time).
Eala, just 20 years old, had few role models in local tennis when she grew up in Manila. But making a name for herself so early in her career, she is determined to continue going up against all odds and be that model moving forward.
“I would say that anything is possible, and you know, to dream big,” Eala said in the press conference after her big victory.
“I think me, as a person, I’m very ambitious, and although there was no one from my country who did this before [that] was successful, in tennis, you know, I took inspiration from anyone I could. From my family, from my brother,” she added.
[READ: Alex Eala savors Filipino support in maiden US Open win — ‘They made me feel like I’m home’]
Eala came from a sports-oriented family, with her mother also being a SEA Games medalist during her career as a swimmer. Meanwhile, her brother Miko also played tennis, competing professionally after finishing his collegiate stint at Penn State.
But as Eala continues to break glass ceiling with each history-making win, she puts Philippine tennis on her back every time she goes out to compete.
Heading into Round 2 of the US Open, the 20-year-old is raring to make her mark at a Grand Slam, just as she did in the Miami Open earlier this year which propelled her into the international spotlight.
Coincidentally, Eala was the US Open winner in Girls’ Singles back in 2022.
“I think [my take is], just to be ambitious and to dream big know that you can do it,” she said.