Alyssa Valdez draws inspiration from Alex Eala’s historic US Open breakthrough, calling the young tennis star her “hero” and praising how she carries the Philippine flag with pride and passion.
Two icons from two different courts.
When Filipina tennis star Alex Eala made history at the 2025 US Open by becoming the first Philippine player to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open era, the whole country celebrated.
Among her proudest supporters? None other than local volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez.
Watching Eala carry the Philippine flag on one of the world’s biggest tennis stages has been nothing short of inspiring, according to the Creamline superstar.
“It’s so inspiring. On and off the court, she’s really my hero right now,” Valdez told reporters. “She reignited that love and passion for sports and the community — not just in tennis or volleyball, but in sports as a whole.”
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Valdez, who also knows the weight of carrying a nation’s hopes, was struck by how Eala wears the flag with pride.
“Every time she wins a point, kahit may struggles siya, you can feel that she’s fighting for all of us. And we’re all behind her,” she said.
At just 20, Eala is already carrying enormous expectations—something Valdez herself knows all too well.
At the same age, Valdez was at the peak of her collegiate career, steering Ateneo de Manila University to back-to-back UAAP titles and becoming the face of Philippine volleyball.
“It’s so nice that at this early, nararamdaman niya ’yung pressure,” Valdez said. “I always say that pressure is such a huge privilege. It molds you into an icon, into a legend. And she’s already that at such a young age—so what more pa sa susunod?”
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Understanding what it takes to succeed at the highest level, Valdez highlighted the importance of Eala’s support system, which has kept the young star grounded and focused amid her success and rise in world rankings.
But what truly stands out for Valdez isn’t just Eala’s on-court brilliance, but her humility and warmth outside of it.
“Alex is such a sweetheart. When she's off the court, she would say hi to everybody. She recognizes everyone in sports,” said Valdez. “I think that's one thing that's why she's already, I would say, a legend also in our community, kasi hindi siya nakakalimot.”
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Even if they play different sports, Valdez and Eala share the same mission—and that’s to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.