‘Eala’s grit, humility and passion have captured every Filipino’s heart,' says Philippine Ambassador Alfonso Ver

Philippine star Alexandra “Alex” Maniego Eala, who has inspired her countrymen to love tennis other than basketball and volleyball, is grateful to her parents who have helped her stay grounded.

That modesty and down-to-earth-ness – spotted by millions of her followers, documented by way of video clips and reels, and re-shared numerously over the social media – is rooted in “the very strong foundation” her parents, business executive Mike Eala and former Philippine National Swimming Team member/1985 Southeast Asian Games (Thailand) 100-metre backstroke bronze medallist Rizza Maniego-Eala, had inculcated in their children.

“I really appreciate those comments. Very kind of you. I would attribute that mostly to my family. I am thankful that my family and my parents have sacrificed a lot to have a very strong foundation for me and my brother. They have instilled a very strong sense of values in my brother and I. I also attribute that to my own experiences,” replied the southpaw five-foot-niner.

Eala met the press immediately after she trounced on Wednesday evening, Romanian Sorana Ciristea, 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes.

The win qualified her to be part of the “Women’s Singles Final Eight” of the ongoing Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships-Women’s Tennis Association 1000.

The other competitors are Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova; Croatian Antonia Ruzic; Ukrainian Elina Svitolina; Dane Clara Tauson; and Russian Mirra Andreeva.

The pupil and student at the Immaculate Conception Academy and the Colegio de San Agustin – among the basic and secondary education institutions for the well-heeled in Metro Manila – before her training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain where her older brother, Miko, was also an alumnus, continued: “It helps that I come from the Philippines. We have a big sense of community.”

Eala underscored gratefulness: “Where I have come from, I have seen some serious poverty. I have seen serious struggle. Although I have not lived through that struggle myself, I am able to appreciate what I have.”

For her, no matter what socio-economic class one has been categorised in, struggles are undeniably the common denominator: “I have worked and sacrificed a lot to be where I am. I would like to take everything with gratitude and take a positive outlook when I can.”

Meanwhile, that big sense of community has been immensely demonstrated since the day Eala initially stepped into the Dubai competitions, her second in the UAE since her Abu Dhabi Open participation a fortnight back.

A security guard on Wednesday evening volunteered: “Alex?!? Oh my, her fan base is the huuuuu-gest I have seen. You see the Filipinos (referring to the droves of passers-by) I have not seen so many. They are even here before Alex’s game. They fill up the gates.”

Even Gauff acknowledged the jampack on Wednesday evening. She apologised to the predominantly Filipino spectators who had to wait because her victory from Belgian Elise Mertens took two hours and 18 minutes.

It was the third night for Shayne and family of two third culture children. Her husband books the tickets for the next event every time Eala wins.

First timer Information Technology professional Patricia Diguangco, who has been on track wherever the 20-year-old competes, said: “What strikes me about Alex is that even with all the attention that she has been getting, she has remained so grounded. We always see it in her interviews, in the way she interacts with fans, on how she carries herself on and off the court. No signs of entitlement which speaks a lot about her character and upbringing.”

“Alex has indeed improved significantly from last year. She has greatly improved her serve compared to Abu Dhabi and Doha. She is a breath of fresh air who brings a lot of excitement to the game,” wrote Tennis Friends Philippines director Mark Dominic Ordonez.

Consistent spectator Philippine Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver since the Abu Dhabi Open said: “We are immensely proud of Alex Eala and her incredible string of victories here in the UAE. Her grit, humility, and passion have captured the heart and admiration of every Filipino. These wins are not just for her; but the entire Filipino nation and an inspiration that with dedication and faith, the Filipino spirit can shine anywhere in the world.”