Eala: Pressure is privilege

Alex Eala has learned to embrace the pressure that comes with being one of the fastest-rising names in women’s tennis.

Fresh from a memorable US Open campaign, the Filipina star said the expectations surrounding her growing career no longer intimidate her, instead viewing pressure as a privilege as she continues to test herself against the world’s best players.

“It definitely comes with pressure. But the life of a competitive athlete comes with pressure,” Eala said in an interview with CBS Mornings on Wednesday (Manila time).

“And I think pressure is a privilege. I have never been able to relate to something more.”

For the 21-year-old Eala, learning how to handle those moments did not happen overnight.

Coming off a third-round finish in the US Open — her best performance yet in the season’s final Grand Slam — Eala credited the values instilled in her by her late grandfather Bobby and her family for helping prepare her for life on the biggest stage.

“I think he just instilled so many values in me through practice, and my training for tennis has always been quite intense,” Eala said.

“Him and my family have laid out a great foundation for me to be able to withstand the pressures that come with being an athlete at this level and the discipline that it takes."

Eala has gone from chasing opportunities against the sport's elite to regularly sharing the stage with players she once watched from afar.

The growing support from Filipino fans has followed her wherever she plays, adding another layer to the expectations surrounding her rapid rise. But she has also embraced the opportunity to compete alongside some of the biggest names in professional tennis, including world No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

Still, Eala refuses to get lost in the bigger picture.

"I try not to look so much at the bigger picture all the time because I can get lost, and it can get overwhelming with a lot of emotions, especially with the support that I get,” Eala said.

"And, you know, being around these amazing peers that I have and sharing the stage with people I've looked up — even Coco, even though she’s just a year older than me.”