Burning bright

For Alex Eala, fame is not about celebrating herself.

It is about carrying the Filipino culture, values and people who see themselves in her every time she steps onto the court.

The 21-year-old Eala said her rise to the top 20 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings has given her a deeper appreciation of the responsibility that comes with representing the Philippines on the biggest stage of professional tennis.

“Of course, everything that has been coming my way is continuously uncharted territory for me, so I’m experiencing a lot of things for the first time. Like you said, it’s been a journey to learn my relationship with fame, especially with the exposure,” said Eala, who was showered with love and appreciation by a large Filipino crowd during her opening-round win over Mary Stoiana of the United States in the women’s singles event of the US Open at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on Wednesday.

“I understand the importance of what I represent, who I represent, the values I carry on court and the culture I carry on court. But at the same time, it was important for me to understand that it’s the culture that’s important and what I represent that’s important — not so much just me as an individual.”

Eala has embraced the spotlight while making sure that her actions on and off the court reflect the country she represents. She believes that her massive Filipino following is rooted in something deeper than her victories.

“I think one reason why I have such a big following is because people see themselves in me. So, I’m representing those people, and it’s not really just me on the stage, if you know what I mean,” Eala added.

That connection has grown alongside her meteoric rise.

Since her breakthrough campaign in the Miami Open last year, Eala has climbed from No. 140 to within the WTA top 20, while taking down some of the biggest names in the sport, including former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, world No. 10 Elina Svitolina and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.

She also reached the Round of 16 at Wimbledon last July — the deepest run by any Filipino tennis player in the prestigious tournament.

Eala, however, knows that reaching the top 20 is one thing and staying there is another.

“Even though now maybe I’m in the top 20, compared to when I was No. 70 or something like that, the difference in level is actually very small. I think the huge difference comes in the consistency — how often you’re able to execute that level,” Eala said.

“But in individual matches, or even in training, anything can happen. The level is so close, and you can see throughout the tour that people can go up and down because everyone is gunning for those spots.”

Eala said her goal remains simple as she continues to climb the WTA ladder: keep improving, both as a player and as a person.

“I’m constantly trying to be a better person, a more intelligent, more aware person, to just be the best version of myself,” Eala said.

“I don’t think my tennis would be as good as it is now if I wasn’t the person that I am off the court and I wasn’t as open-minded or eager to learn. I think those two go hand in hand.”