Alex Eala’s superstardom is now widely documented throughout the tennis tour.
It almost feels like she is currently enjoying a career that is back-to-front.
After all, it normally takes players years to cultivate a fanbase, having to share their personality through winning titles or overcoming great hardships that win the hearts of supporters.
Alas, Alexandra Eala burst onto the scene last year, and arguably already has the biggest fanbase in tennis.
This is predominantly owed to the Philippines’ devotion to their homegrown stars, and Cecil Mamiit, the tennis star who came before Eala, has now explained just how well the 20-year-old is doing despite the pressure of an entire nation on her shoulders.
Alex Eala praised by Philippines Sports Hall of Famer Cecil Mamiit
Mamiit may not have enjoyed a world-famous tennis career, but his legacy still echoes around his home nation. In fact, he is set to be honoured next month, inducted into the Philippines Sports Hall of Fame.
Speaking about Eala, he began by comparing her to Manni Pacquiao in stature, telling GMA News Online: “As a player, it’s amazing that she’s taking on the role. She’s doing a great job overall. Her game, great lefty, [there’s] room to improve. She’s doing well.
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
“Just the status of being the female Manny Pacquiao — it’s going to be exciting for everybody. I think that’s a true testament of Philippine tennis.”
He then added, touching on how it can be to deal with such raucous Filipino support: “One thing great that she can utilise is her longevity. Think of how long her career is going to be. Hopefully, she can manage everything.
“She has pressure right now. But I think it’s manageable to make her a better player over time.
“If she can think longevity and get better every time. I believe being with Nadal Academy and all that support, I think she would be fine”
Ceciil concluded by pinpointing what makes Eala so special: “Right now, it’s her identity, her fight.
“That’s one thing that’s showing well — her ability to stay in there. How many matches has she came back and keep being around and being tough to play. That is the biggest thing right now.
“If she can find ways to get better — which I know [she will]. Every pro player would be striving to get better and better. It’s always an upside, right?”
Alex Eala’s next match confirmed as Madrid Open draw is revealed
Eala’s start to the clay-court season has hardly set the world alight, but there is hope she might have greater success in the Spanish capital in the coming weeks.
After all, she has been gifted a relatively straightforward opening-round match, set to face a qualifier. If she wins that, Elise Mertens should await her in round two.
One of Ekaterina Alexandrova or former world number one Karolina Pliskova is expected to be her round three opponent, before Eala is expected to have to then beat Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff in successive matches if she is to reach the final.
There, it’d be unwise to bet against Aryna Sabalenka reaching that stage again.
Eala’s full Madrid Open draw makes for tough reading, but that’s to be expected at every event, such is the overall strength of the WTA Tour.
