Sea Games Tennis: Alex Eala aims to break the women’s tennis drought at the Southeast Asian Games.

Joy Anne Dela Pena May 8, 2022May 8, 2022

Sea Games Tennis: Alex Eala’s spotlight should be bright enough to pierce. The title race in women’s tennis at the SEA Games starts in a week in Hanoi. If she wins gold, she will end a more than two-decade wait for the Philippines to compete. Following the suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association by the Philippine Olympic Committee. For failing to follow the International Tennis Federation’s directive to modify its charter and hold elections for a new board of directors. ITF and ATF have agreed to allow Filipino netters to compete in the biannual regional sporting conclave. The Hanoi SEAG is more noteworthy for the Filipina lefty, who has competed in many premier youth tournaments. And pro events worldwide is that she’ll be representing the Philippines for the first time.

Alex said,

“Sea Games Tennis: This will be my first game appearance, so it will be quite exciting.” Even though they are pretty important in the region and mean a lot to so many people.

“It’s also another chance to represent the Philippines, which I adore doing. Also, I feel like I’m playing for my country and something much bigger than myself,” she added.

Alex Eala is currently training with the rest of the national team at the Manila Polo Club. Also, working double shifts to be in peak condition for the start of the competitions on May 13.

“As preparations progress, we’ll become closer, putting ourselves in the greatest possible position to succeed when the tennis tournament begins on May 13,” she said. “I’m back in full training today, after taking a holiday in Spain and returning to the Philippines. The relaxation allowed me to spend time with my family, which is one of the best parts of returning home and racing in Asia.”

Sea Games Tennis

Other members of the team are Shaira Rivera, Marian Capadocia, and Janeila Prulla. All of them are from the junior circuits and put up by Cebuana Lhuillier and Palawan Pawnshop. Ruben Gonzales, Treat Huey, Jeson Patrombon, Francis Alcantara, and Eric Olivarez make up the men’s team. Huey, Gonzales, and Alcantara are also coming off doubles titles in their foreign trips to the United States and Egypt.

Sea Games Tennis: Moreover, Huey and Gonzales won the ATP Savannah Challenge in the United States. At the same time, Alcantara paired up with Northern Mariana Islands’ Colin Sinclair to win the M25 Cairo tournament in Egypt. And I was getting them ready for the SEAG, which includes Thailand, the country’s perennial opponent. Meanwhile, Eala claims that her passion drives her. It represents her mother’s bronze medal performance in the 1985 Bangkok Olympics.

“It’s also significant to be following in my mother’s footsteps, who was a swimmer who won bronze in the 100m backstrokes in the 1985 Asian Games in Bangkok.” I’m excited to attempt to win for my country as she did. “I’m just excited.”

Grand Slam doubles champion

On the other hand, Eala won her first pro title in January 2021. This year, it is a two-time junior Grand Slam doubles champion. She also received financing from the Grand Slam Player Development Program, which the ITF runs. And having received ITF International Junior Player Grants in the past.

She most recently competed in the Madrid Open, a WTA1000 event, where she got a wild card but lost to world No. 68 Anna Bondar of Hungary in straight sets. “I had so much hope and had worked so hard for an opportunity like that. Therefore, I need to focus on recovering circumstances and how to keep my head up,” the 16-year-old rising star said.

Image Credit: www.philstar.com

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