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Alex Eala grateful for 'wave of support'

Sports

Alex Eala grateful for 'wave of support'

By Mark Rey Montejo

(Alex Eala IG post)

(Alex Eala IG post)

Alex Eala has never stepped onto the court without carrying the Philippine flag in her heart, sharing the glory with her “kababayans” in moments of triumph and banking on them in her times of struggle.

Just like what she did in her hard-fought win over world No. 8 Italian Jasmine Paolini in Round of 32 of the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships, Eala got the boost from the cheers and it worked in the end.

The 20-year-old Alex Eala once again proved she could reciprocate the overwhelming “wave of support” of her compatriots, especially the hardworking overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who spent their time just to watch her compete live.

And surely. Eala saw, heard and felt the love from the fans.

“Somewhat. I'm aware of what happens over here. It's basically the same thing I want to imagine,” said Eala after exacting her revenge on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in Last 16, 7-5, 6-4, and booking her quarterfinal ticket..

“But the waves of support have really just made every single match all the more special,” she added. “It's so difficult to describe the emotions and the actual experience of playing in front of this crowd so I'm really grateful to be here.”

The world No. 47 player, who mastered her craft during her junior years at Rafa Nadal Academy, became a sort of a happy pill for the OFWs in places she competes in.

"Salamat sa pagpuyat mga kababayan. Uwi na tayo," she quipped.

The 5-foot-7 lefty goes for another big win, this time challenging No. 4 American Coco Gauff in the quarters. It will mark the first-ever showdown between the two in the women’s professional circuit.

“Honestly, I don't know. I think I'm on a good path. I think if I continue like this, the next match will be great,” Eala continued.

“I'm looking forward to it. Coco is such an amazing person and we tend to forget that she's just a year older than me but she's a great role model for so many so I'm really excited for that match,” she added.

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