Filipina tennis star Alex Eala looked back on her breakthrough run at the Miami Open, describing it as the “craziest week” of her life, as she opened up about her rapid rise, growing fan base, and responsibility of representing the Philippines in the world of tennis.
In an interview with former world No. 1 professional tennis player Andy Roddick and journalist Jon Wertheim, Eala recalled entering the Miami Open ranked outside the top 100 and as a wild card, without expectations of a deep run.
“I have to say, that week was probably the craziest week of my life. I came into the tournament around ranked 140. I was a wild card and I was obviously super looking forward to Miami Open,” said Eala.
She said her stunning victories over top players, including reigning stars and Grand Slam champions such as Iga Swiatek, came as a surprise even to her, noting that each round grew more challenging due to fatigue, pressure, and higher stakes.
“You get a little bit more nervous because the round has a little higher stakes. You're a little bit more tired because you have more load from the matches. So, circumstances become a little bit more difficult. But then of course as the tiredness is heightened, so is the pressure, but so is the motivation,” the tennis star explained, adding that her motivation also intensified with every match, fueling her unexpected breakthrough.
Eala also highlighted how her success has since transformed her presence on tour, particularly in 2026, when she began to fully feel the scale of her growing fan base.
She admitted initially struggling to accept her rising influence, but has since embraced it with gratitude, recognizing that such moments may be fleeting.
Eala emphasized her unique role as one of the few Filipinas competing at the highest level of tennis, saying she feels a responsibility to represent the country positively.
“People tell me that I have… I'm a role model for people back home. So, I do my best to put on my best attitude,” she proudly said. “So when they think of the Philippines in regards to tennis, they think of me. So, I really do my best to be on my best behavior, represent the best of the Philippines.”
She described the relationship with Filipino fans as a “give and take,” praising their strong sense of community and unwavering support. “Filipinos are really amazing, I have to say… seeing other Filipinos succeed makes us so happy… So yeah, we're very nationalistic, I guess,” Eala added.
She also underscored the importance of “balance” by remaining confident on the court while staying grounded off it, as key to handling both competition and public expectations.
Looking ahead, Eala expressed her desire to face top-ranked players like Aryna Sabalenka, saying competing against the world’s best is where she wants to be.
“[Aryna] Sabalenka, of course, I think. Everyone wants to play the number one in the world. I almost had the chance last year,” she shared.
For Eala, success ultimately comes down to growth and fulfillment, noting that while winning brings happiness, seeing progress in her game and translating hard work into performance matters just as much.