The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) had no doubts about Alex Eala’s rise in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) as she prepares for her US Open singles campaign.

Philta secretary general John Rey Tiangco said the 21-year-old Filipina’s relentless work ethic and hunger to improve have made her rapid climb up the Women’s Tennis Association rankings hardly surprising.

Eala, now at a career-best No. 18, opens her US Open singles campaign against American Mary Stoiana on Wednesday at 8:40 a.m. (Manila time) at the Louis Armstrong Stadium inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

“We’re not surprised. It’s just a matter of time. It’s her work ethic, her attitude. Whether she wins or loses, she always wants to improve her game,” Tiangco said.

“As we can see every year, every month, every game, she improves. So it’s only a matter of time that she’ll reach Top 10 or even the top. I wouldn’t be surprised with her work ethic, her attitude toward the game.”

With Eala enjoying a huge following in New York, the 14,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium could be packed with Filipino supporters as she chases her first Grand Slam title.

Eala enters the tournament with confidence after winning the Washington Open earlier this month and gaining valuable experience in the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.

She also had a taste of the US Open atmosphere after playing in the “Stars of the Open” exhibition against world No. 14 Iva Jovic and teaming up with Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in mixed doubles.

National men’s tennis player Ruben Gonzales likewise believes Eala is primed for a deep run.

“Tennis is a really tough sport to predict, but she’s been playing well going into the summer, so she has a lot of momentum. I think there’s going to be a lot of Filipino support in New York,” Gonzales told DAILY TRIBUNE.

“She has a very good chance to go deep. I wouldn’t count her out to have a deep run, and I hope she does it.”

Beyond the US Open, Tiangco is equally pleased with Eala’s decision to represent the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, instead of playing in the China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament scheduled at the same time.

Eala is set to compete at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center from 27 September to 3 October, where she will seek to improve on the bronze medal she won in Hangzhou in 2023.

“There are other simultaneous events that happen along with the Asian Games. But she chose to play for the flag,” Tiangco said.

“That’s why we’re very proud and very happy that she can represent the Philippines.”

For Philta, Eala’s rise is no longer a question of whether she can reach the top but when.