SINGAPORE — Just like her previous engagements, Alex Eala made a lot of heads turn when she appeared in the Players’ Welcome Party ahead of the WTA 500 Singapore Open on Sunday.

Unlike other competitors who showed up in their best outfit perfectly fit for the glamorous occasion, the 21-year-old Filipina showed up in a simple black round neck shirt, black pants and sneakers. Her outfit doesn’t just suggest simplicity and confidence; it also shows that she’s comfortable being here — in a country that first witnessed her vast potential as a tennis player.

“I’m happy to be back here in Singapore, this is like my second home,” Eala told Filipino journalists who had to drop their interview with world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva upon seeing her walk onto the red carpet.

Eala drew a first-round bye but will open her campaign on Wednesday in the Round of 16 either against Tatiana Prozorova of Russia or Sofia Costoulas of Belgium.

Should she emerge victorious, she will face the winner between Donna Vekic and Wang Xinyu in the quarterfinals for a chance to advance deeper against world No. 11 Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals and Andreeva in the finals. 

The path to glory is not easy, but Eala is more than ready to go all out as she competes in a country she considers as her home away from home.

“It’s been great. I feel good, I feel healthy, which I am grateful for,” said Eala, giving special credit to her coaching staff led by Joan Bosch, the Spanish guru who has been handling her since her early days at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain.

“I have an amazing team who helps me take care of my body, helps me plan accordingly and we’re very experienced.”

“The tour is very long. The calendar year, or the season, is quite long, but I feel ready. I feel excited to be here. I’m closer to home, so I’m very happy.”

This sunbaked citystate holds a very special place in Eala’s heart.

Aside from being just three hours away from Manila, Eala enjoys solid support from the around 2,200 Filipino migrant workers here, who are mostly working as engineers, nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, and finance or IT specialists.

But more than that, this is where Eala first displayed her brilliance when she was an 11-year-old junior player competing in the WTA Future Stars 10 years ago.