Manila: Alex Eala will take it one match at a time when she debuts in the Philippine Women's Open starting Monday at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. Seeded No. 2, she kicks off her campaign in the first round against Individual Neutral Athlete (INA) Alina Charaeva, who is ranked No. 169. Eala is currently ranked No. 49 in the world, marking a personal best for the young athlete.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eala expressed her focus on taking each match as it comes, rather than focusing on winning the entire tournament. "I never go into any tournament thinking to win the whole thing. Although this is at home, my mindset in that sense is no different. I take it match by match. I will do everything I can to win the first one," the 20-year-old Eala shared during a press conference held at the packed tent just outside the venue of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event.
Eala acknowledged her familiarity with her first opponent, Charaeva, noting her respect for the latter's abilities. "I have met her before. She is a very nice person and a great player so I am just going out there and prepare to the best of my ability," added Eala, who is also the Philippine Sportswriters Association co-Athlete of the Year for 2025.
Rather than feeling pressured by the local crowd, Eala sees the support as an advantage. "I will be happy to see many Filipinos coming out to see us play tennis. It is so crazy to see this community rallying behind me. And the support has led to something like this, the first home tournament," she said.
The tournament, marking the country's first major international women's tennis event, receives support from the Philippine Sports Commission and is the inaugural project of the year for the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee, chaired by Patrick Gregorio. "To have a home tournament and see it come to life, I am so grateful and have a little kind of disbelief that it is actually happening. So I am happy to be here," stated Eala.
Eala also highlighted the presence of other local players in the main draw, including Tennielle Madis, Kaye Ann Emana, and Elizabeth Abarquez, who were granted wild cards. "The fact that we are able to have a WTA tournament at home is the real focus, and that there are so many Filipinos in the draw. That is the focus and the highlight of this week," she emphasized.
University of Santo Tomas athlete Kaye Ann Emana, the UAAP Season 97 Most Valuable Player, faces INA's Tatiana Prozorova in the first round. Meanwhile, Madis will compete against Thai player Mananchaya Sawangkaew, and Abarquez will play against Japan's Mai Hontama.
Stefi Marithe Aludo aims to join them in the main draw after defeating Angeline Alcala 6-1, 6-0 at the start of the qualifying round. Aludo will face Japan's Sakura Hosogi, the top seed in the qualifiers, for a spot in the main draw.
