Cool guy Karl

Speaking to the DAILY TRIBUNE, the former national team mentor said seeing Eala thrive on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour fills his heart as her dream of becoming an elite tennis player has finally come true.

"The feeling is still surreal. Sometimes, we used to dream about it with her family when we started. But of course, when they were that young, it was just a dream,” Santamaria said in a phone interview.

"Well, of course, pride. Just like any other Filipino watching her, seeing how she represents the Philippines, you really feel pride as a Filipino.”

Eala, 21, was battling world No. 17 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the Round of 16 at Centre Court of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London at press time.

Teaching the basics

But before she became a world-class star, Santamaria recalled how he and Robert Maniego, Eala’s grandfather, correctly predicted that his granddaughter would conquer the tennis world one day during a conversation back in 2005.

“Actually, my relationship with the Maniego family started way back in 2005. Lolo Bob's nephews — his sister's sons — were the first ones I trained, the brothers Jolo and Enrique Ferrer. They both became national junior players, although they didn't pursue professional careers. I think that was around 2005, which was also the year Alex was born,” Santamaria said.

“Their uncle, Bob Maniego, jokingly told me at that time, ‘Wait for my grandkids. When they reach playing age, I'll let you handle them.’”

Seven years after that fateful conversation, Santamaria, who is now based in Australia as a coach for Vida Tennis, began training both Alex and her older brother, Miko, under the guidance of their grandfather around 2012.

While Santamaria taught them the fundamentals, he deflected the credit to Maniego, whose patience and vision, he believes, are among the biggest reasons for Eala's success today.

“He admitted that he had limited experience in tennis. But because he had trained Rizza, Alex's mom, as a swimmer before, he understood how to build an athlete,” said Santamaria, who is currently in the Philippines on vacation.

“His knowledge of tennis, however, was very limited, so he asked me for help. We talked again with Mike and Rizza. Alex had already been playing for a couple of years, and Miko was about to start competing nationally, so they brought me in to help as a technical adviser. I would join them about three times a week for training.”

Their training lasted for two years before Santamaria was tapped to lead the men's national team, a role that eventually led him to Davis Cup duties, Southeast Asian Games campaigns and international tours alongside players like Treat Huey and Nino Alcantara.

Keeping in touch

Although his daily involvement with Eala became limited, their connection never ceased.

Earlier this year, his family reunited with the Ealas during the Kooyong Classic in Australia ahead of the Australian Open.

As the match unfolded against Donna Vekic of Croatia, Santamaria and Mike found themselves remembering the early days when everything had seemed impossible.

"We were just talking with her dad and remembering how we used to dream about moments like this. Now we're actually sitting there, watching it happen,” Santamaria recalled.

For Santamaria, the greatest reward is not seeing his former student win matches.

It is seeing years of sacrifice finally pay off.

"I'm happy to see that what we dreamed about and worked so hard for is finally coming true."

He believes Eala's impact now stretches far beyond tennis.

Santamaria believes Eala's greatest strength was never her quick reflexes or her power, but rather her grit and mental fortitude to keep going even when the odds were stacked against her.

“Well, when she was still in the juniors, her greatest strength was really her mental side. Her mental toughness was her biggest asset,” Santamaria said.

“She didn't have the best forehand. She didn't have the best serve. But her backhand was really good. People always ask me, ‘Is her backhand really that good?’ I tell them that despite not having the biggest weapons in her game, she was able to win a Junior Grand Slam, win the European Under-14 championships, and rise to the top of the world junior rankings.”

“Despite her serve not being the best and her forehand still developing, she always found ways to win.”

Santamaria may have taken a different path from Eala, but he will always cherish the memories of honing the little girl with ruffled socks, light-up shoes and chubby cheeks who would one day blossom into one of the biggest stars in tennis.