Alex Eala is navigating the complexities of fame as she continues her ascent within the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The 20-year-old promising athlete has experienced a surge in popularity since breaking into the Top 100 of the WTA rankings last year, often drawing large Filipino crowds to her matches.
Eala candidly shared her experience with fame, noting the challenge of adjusting to the constant presence of cameras and fan interactions. “I am learning to deal with a lot of, you know, these cameras and a lot of the times when people see me, the phone is the first thing they reach out for. Which is something that I have to adjust to,” she explained. Eala emphasized her appreciation for privacy, acknowledging that being a public figure can sometimes blur personal boundaries.
Eala’s sentiments echo those of top players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, who have expressed their struggles with being constantly filmed during matches, highlighting the pressures athletes face in the spotlight. Gauff notably went viral after smashing her tennis racket in frustration following a tough loss at the Australian Open.
An alumna of the renowned Rafael Nadal Academy, Eala has also reflected on her experiences with the ups and downs of competitive tennis, including the need for self-awareness after defeats. “The way I cope… is learning to be self-aware in terms of knowing what I need to do to kind of step back and regroup. In the end, in tennis, you lose a lot, and some losses are going to be more difficult than others,” she stated.
Currently in the United Arab Emirates, Eala is set to take on formidable opponents at the Dubai Tennis Championships, running from February 15 to 21 at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre. Initially slated to compete in the qualifying round, her recent rise to No. 40 in the world has granted her a spot in the main draw, allowing her to face top-tier players such as Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and the newly crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.
Eala’s participation in the Dubai event follows her recent outings in the Middle East, where she achieved a commendable quarterfinal finish at the Abu Dhabi Open, before facing an early exit in the Qatar Open. With a week of rest since her last match, she enters the Dubai tournament with renewed energy, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
After the Dubai Championships, Eala will head to the United States for the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open in March, continuing her pursuit of excellence in the professional tennis arena. Her journey showcases both the determination required at the highest levels of competition and the joys and challenges that come with newfound fame, offering inspiration as she advances in her career.