Eala set to turn pro

Yes, I want to turn pro. Obviously, it’s one of my goals so I think starting next year, I will definitely join more pro tournaments.

ALEX Eala is ready to campaign in the professional ranks.

At such a young age, Alex Eala already figured out what she wants to be: To become a professional tennis player.

Starting next year, the 14-year-old Eala — the No. 13 in the world in juniors singles — will be competing in the professional circuit to beef up her ranking in the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

“Yes, I want to turn pro. Obviously it’s one of my goals so I think starting next year, I will definitely join more pro tournaments,” said Eala, the country’s most promising tennis player, when she graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday at the Amelie Hotel.

Eala is a scholar at Rafael Nadal Academy where she is at Grade 9 at the American International School in Mallorca.

Her father, Mike Eala, did confirm her charming daughter is already eligible to turn pro.

“The minimum age of playing for professional tennis is 14 years old, and Alex turned 14 last May,” the elder Eala said.

“The tricky part there is you have to reach a minimum number of points before you can get to the main draw of the (pro) tournaments.”

“So the plan for Alex if she gets to the top 5 of the juniors, you get wildcards to play in the tournaments. So this is more or less the thinking of how we can fast-tracked the rise in the tournaments in the pros. But definitely next year will be a good mix of junior tournaments and pro tournaments.”

The Filipina teen skyrocketed in the juniors ranking after she captured the ITF juniors title in Cape Town in South Africa and then finished runner-up in ITF Osaka Mayor’s Cup in Japan.