Alex Eala has been all over the world and back, but tennis finally brought her home with the first-ever WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open.
Alex Eala’s tennis career has taken her all over the world, and she has the accomplishments to show for it.
From her historic SEA Games gold medal in Thailand, to her breakthrough 2025 WTA season, many of Eala's best career moments have taken place away from home.
But as Alex made her Philippine Women’s Open debut on Monday, the feeling of finally playing a home tournament is incomparable to anything she's done since she left for Spain six years ago to push her career forward.
Having played a crucial role in bringing the first-ever WTA tournament to Manila, Eala couldn’t underscore the importance of her match against Alina Charaeva at center court.
“I think it really holds a special place in my heart,” Eala said after she won her first home match in straight sets.
“It’s my first-ever professional match at home and I was able to spend it around family and around supporters, and surrounded with love. So it’s very special.”
Home is where the heart is
Though having spent a good chunk of her life away from the Philippines, Eala has stayed firmly connected to her roots.
As people have greatly noticed, Eala continues to portray her Filipino values especially in her matches, and even during light off-court moments.
For the 20-year-old, keeping in touch with family played a big role in staying true to her Filipino side, no matter where tennis takes her from here and beyond.
“Of course, it's very important,” Eala said of her relation with family.
“That's what keeps me grounded and just makes me feel kind of at home," she added.
"That's really what at home means for me is to be with family, and spend the time with the people who love me and I know will be there through thick and thin.”
[RELATED: Alex Eala raves about ‘full circle moment’ in first Philippine Women’s Open win]
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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.