FILE–Alex Eala. —MIKE EALA/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala has already made great strides in her juniors career, but has yet to play under the Philippine banner in international competitions.
In an interview with her uncle Noli in the Power & Play show, Eala said she’s eager to play in future competitions with the Philippine flag stitched on her shirt.
“I’m looking forward to [playing for the Philippines] so much, it’s everyone’s dream to represent their country,” said Eala. “Representing the country is bigger than just my individual sport.”
The 16-year-old prodigy won the doubles titles in the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open playing alongside partners Priska Madelyn Nugroho and Oksana Selekhmeteva, respectively. She has also won a total of 14 titles across singles and doubles tournaments in the ITF Juniors circuit.
Eala’s highest ranking in the juniors circuit is at No.2 but she’s now slid to no.4 in the ITF rankings as of November 8, 2021.
The nearest competition Eala can play in is the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam and the 2022 Asian Games in Zhejiang, China in May and September, respectively.
Eala nearly played for the Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila but wasn’t able to compete in that year’s tennis tournament because of a conflict in her schedule.
Though based in Spain, Eala said she will always be a Filipino and that she doesn’t plan on changing her citizenship.
“I’ve always identified as a Filipino so I don’t really plan on doing that,” said Eala.