Alex Eala relishes first-ever Philippine Women’s Open: ‘I’m home’

MANILA, Philippines – “Wow.”

That was Alex Eala’s first word as she steps into the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. The last time she stood there, she was 12, a promising kid still far from the global star she would become.

Eight years and countless breakthroughs later, Eala returns to her old stomping ground, now transformed with new courts, a fresh facade, and murals of world champions, her own face now among them.

The revamped venue now hosts the Philippine Women’s Open, the country’s first WTA 125 event. More importantly for the 20-year-old Eala, it is finally a tournament she can call home.

“I’m here, I’m home, and I’m so happy to be here. I’m alongside so many great Filipino athletes here at the draw,” said Eala as she battles Russian Alina Charaeva in the round of 32 on Monday, January 26.

“It’s so, so, so surreal to have a home tournament and to see it come to life.”

Ranked No. 49 in the world, Eala enters the tournament as the second seed, just behind top seed Tatjana Maria of Germany.

Qualifying rounds tipped off Saturday, January 25, alongside fan-focused activities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, drawing a lively crowd that also caught a glimpse of international players training on the practice courts.

Eala arrives fresh from her first Australian Open main draw, exiting early in both singles and doubles but capturing global attention as one of the tournament’s breakout draws.

The Philippine Women’s Open is now set to ride that Eala wave.

“I mean, it’s so crazy to see this community rallying behind me. And, you know, this support in the end has led to milestones like this — a home tournament for the Filipinas,” she said. 

“I like to think that people are really starting to get into tennis and are really interested in helping the sport and making it grow here. So I’m so thankful to everyone who spent the time, big or small, you know, to support me and my journey.”

Filipina tennisters Kaye Emana, Tennielle Madis, and Elizabeth Abarquez join Eala in the main draw. Other players also vie for a main draw spot in the qualifying round. 

Eala urged fans to soak it all in, saying that tournaments like this rarely come to a country where tennis is still finding its place.

“Try to absorb as much as you can from this experience. It doesn’t happen very often here,” she said. “As you know, I don’t think it’s ever happened before. So, I think if you keep an open mind and you enjoy doing that, that’s the best thing that you can do.”

For now, Eala has set her sights on delivering for Filipinos before heading to Abu Dhabi for a WTA 500 tournament in February.

“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. “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.” – Rappler.com