Alex Eala leaves PH feeling ‘prouder to represent home’
Filipino tennis star Alex Eala meets her fans during an event at a mall in Makati City on July 15. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Alex Eala left the Philippines with a grateful heart and a renewed sense of purpose.
After her brief homecoming, Eala flew out to begin her North America swing ahead of the US Open and expressed gratitude for the warm reception she received from Filipinos.
READ: Alex Eala savors warm homecoming after historic Wimbledon run
“Maraming salamat sa pagtanggap sa akin mga kababayan! Each and every one of your stories has touched me on a profound level,” Eala wrote in an Instagram Story.
During her weeklong stay in the country following her historic Wimbledon campaign, Eala met fans in several meet-and-greet events attended by supporters who each had a story to tell about how the Filipino tennis star had inspired them.
Fans at the mall wait to see glimpse of Filipino tennis star Alex Eala. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
As a trailblazer for Philippine tennis, Eala said she has never been prouder to carry the country’s flag wherever she competes.
“I leave with a refreshed memory of what I carry when I’m out there playing tennis. And wow is it a privilege to be part of something bigger than myself. Never been prouder to represent home,” she added.
READ: Alex Eala inspires Filipino fans across generations
Eala became the first Filipino to reach the round of 16 of a Grand Slam singles tournament at Wimbledon.
She now hopes to carry that momentum into another hardcourt campaign culminating in the season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open.
Eala is set to compete in the Mubadala DC Open from July 25 to August 2, where she will play in the singles tournament and reunite with Venus Williams in doubles.
She is also scheduled to compete in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Canada before heading to the US Open, set for August 24 to September 13 in New York.
