FAIRYTALE ENDING

Alex Eala is in no hurry to map out her targets for next season after a breakthrough year that transformed her career — and life — on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.

The 21-year-old Filipina said she wants to keep improving and become the best version of herself but has yet to settle on specific goals for the coming year.

Eala is coming off a 3-6, 0-6 loss to world No. 102 Claire Liu of the United States in the final of the Hong Kong Tennis Open last Sunday — her final WTA stint of the season.

Still, she is set to reach a new career-high in ranking after climbing to world No. 15 that will be formalized in the coming days.

“I, like every year, of course, want to continue to become a better player. I strive to be the best version of myself,” Eala said. “And so, I guess that for a time to tell, in that moment in time, what the best version of myself looks like. Truth be told, I definitely have not thought about a concrete goal for next year.”

After a demanding campaign, Eala said she wants to take a step back and appreciate what she and her team have accomplished rather than immediately shift her attention to the next challenge.

“I’ve been pushing back, really enjoying the fruits of my labor of this year, just because it’s been one, and then the other, and then the other,” Eala said.

“Now I’m not thinking about that and this is my time to just be happy, and enjoy, and stay in the present.”

While Eala wasn’t able to end her season on a high note, it still remains as her best campaign of her professional career.

Eala made it to the Round of 16 of the Wimbledon Championships last July, the first Filipino to reach that point of the tournament, as well as the Last 32 of the US Open last September.

She won the Birmingham Open, a WTA 125 title, last June, and even defeated high-caliber players like world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, No. 4 Coco Gauff and No. 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States, and No. 6 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

But her biggest achievement will be her Washington Open triumph past August as she finally clinched her first WTA title.

For now, the Filipina plans to spend her break with her family and keep a low profile.

On 8 December, she is set to play against world No. 75 Janice Tjen of Indonesia in an exhibition game at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

“Oh, I’m going to spend time with my family,” Eala said.

“Yeah, just lay low. Disappear for a little bit. And then… yeah, those are my plans.”

Looking back in her campaign, Eala remains proud of her achievements now that she sits within the top 32 of the WTA.

“I’m really, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve put in this year. And we’re the only ones who truly know what it took to arrive to this point in our journey,” Eala said.

Eala also thanked the Filipino supporters who followed her matches, saying their presence has given her experiences she never imagined before her rise on the tour.

“I mean, the fans are amazing,” she said. “And they add another dimension to my job and to my life that, beforehand, I did not even imagine.”