Eala vows to come back stronger

Despite failing to make the grade for a spot in the 2024 Australian Open, Alex Eala swears there is next year to look forward to as the Filipino netter guaranteed that he will return with a big bang.

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate absorbed a 5-7, 2-6 loss to No. 134 netter Jana Fett of Croatia in the first qualifying round last Tuesday to end the hunt for her first Grand Slam debut.

“Sadly, my run in this year’s @australianopen is much shorter than I’d hoped. Disappointed, to say the least, but that’s tennis — constantly falling down and picking yourself up, week by week, believing one day you’ll end up on top,” Eala posted.

“So much love for you Melbourne. I’ll be back.”

But all is not lost.

The No. 138-ranked tennis player has three more chances to make a Grand Slam debut.

The French Open will be on 25 May, Wimbledon will start on 30 June, and the US Open on 25 August.

Eala almost made it to a Grand Slam debut if it weren’t for her losses in the third qualifying round.

She lost to Julia Riera of Argentina, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, last May in the French Open and to Lulu Sun of New Zealand in Wimbledon last June, 6-7, 5-7, in the same phase of the qualifying round.

In last year’s US Open, Eala lost to Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, and was denied a main draw slot again.