Alex Eala open to representing Philippines anew in SEA Games

Alex Eala of Philippines looks on against Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic during their Junior Girl’s Singles Final match of the 2022 US Open  on September 10, 2022 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is always open to representing the country in national team competitions, including the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next year.

Although the Tennis national team has yet to make any call-ups, the 17-year-old US Open girls’ singles champion reassured her commitment to carry the flag for a possible second stint in the biennial competition.

“There hasn’t been any talk yet of SEA Games, so far, I think it’s a couple of months away. But, I would definitely be open to joining the SEA Games again,” said Eala in a virtual press conference on Friday.

The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar is optimistic that she can surpass her previous three bronze medal-haul in her SEA Games debut in Hanoi, Vietnam last May.

“I think that I have good chances of getting better results,” she said. “But of course, my schedule is very flexible, it goes on a week-to-week basis so we’ll have to see. No one’s reached out yet.”

Eala, the daughter of former national swimmer and SEA Games medalist Rizza Maniego, fell in the women’s semifinal and settled for a bronze medal. She also won bronze in mixed doubles with Treat Huey and in the team event with Shaira Rivera, Marian Capadocia, and Jenaila Rose Prulla.

After playing in the SEA Games, Eala showed vast improvement in pro circuit tournaments and even made history in her return to the junior ranks, adding a Grand Slam singles title to her two slam championships in doubles.

For now, Eala will focus on playing in the pros, taking things one step at a time. But she’s always ready to play for the country.