Alex Eala is not one to be overconfident even as she plays in her first-ever home tournament with the Philippine Women's Open.
There’s no complacency for Alex Eala as she heads to play in the Philippine Women’s Open, preparing for her first home tournament in the same way that she does for her career.
Eala said that there's not much expectations for her end, even if she's seen as among the favorites to win as the local ace and the tournament's no. 2 seed.
Rather than focusing on results and her final standing for this WTA 125 joust, Eala is choosing to look at the long-term effects that this experience can have for her career and for Philippine tennis in general.
[RELATED: Alex Eala draws Russia’s Alina Charaeva to start historic Philippine Women’s Open]
“I think the fact that this is happening and the fact that I'm able to have a match at home is really the focus of this tournament,” Eala said during her pre-tournament press conference.
“And the fact that there are so many Filipinos here, that's the focus and the highlight of this week for me more than winning the whole thing,” she added.
Zeroed in
Even as Eala takes in the added layer of the Philippine Women’s Open being her “home tournament,” not much has changed with her approach to the competition.
Not one to get ahead of herself, the WTA world no. 49 is focused on what’s just ahead of her.
“I never, going into any tournament whatsoever, I never go in expecting to win the whole thing. So although this is at home, my mindset in that sense is no different,” Eala said.
“So I take it match by match. I'll do everything I can to win my first one. But if not, you know, it is what it is. That's how tennis is. I mean, you can't win all the time.”
Eala's first challenge comes in the form of Russian player Alina Charaeva, whom she faces in the Round of 32.
Having lost to Charaeva in the ITF circuit six years ago, Eala is looking to bring a more competitive game in front of what is expected to be a sold out crowd at Rizal Memorial.
“Yes, I have met her. She's a very nice person and a great player. So I'm just going to go and I've done everything to prepare to the best of my ability. So I'm going to go and do my best,” Eala said of Charaeva.
Apart from Eala, three other Filipinos are also playing in the main draw of the Philippine Women's OPen, with Stefi Aludo looking to add to that count through qualifiers.
[RELATED: Home bet Stefi Aludo advances in Philippine Women’s Open qualifiers]
The three other players are Tennielle Madis, Kaye Emana, and Elizabeth Abarquez.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.