TANGGAP ni Filipino tennis prodigy at Globe Ambassador Alex Eala ang katayuan bilang ‘underdog’ sa world w o m e n ’ s professional circuit.
“Being the underdog was an advantage,” pahayag ni Eala. “I didn’t feel any extra pressure. I don’t think any unnecessary pressure would help me perform better.”
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Nahubog ng panahon ang talento ng 15-anyos Pinay pride at ilang ulit niyang pinatunayan ang katatagan sa apat na torneo na nilahukan laban sa mas beterano at mas may edad na karibal. Nakamit niya ang unang panalo sa international tournament nang magwagi sa singles event ng 1st leg ng Rafa Nadal Academy International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour sa Mallorca, Spain.
Inamin ni Eala na hindi niya inaasahan na darating ang hinahangad na tagumpay sa mas maagang pagkakataob nang madomina ang W15 Manacor ievent nitong Enero.
“Actually I don’t know most of them. I’m quite new to the women’s tour. But I know they are more experienced than I am. I can be intimidated sometimes but when you’re on court, it really shouldn’t matter,” sambit ni Eala.
Nasundan ni Eala, Globe Ambassador mula pa noong 2013, ang tagumpay sa Manacor sa tatlong sunod na quarterfinals appearance, kabilang ang unang W25 event na US$25,000 Trophee de la Ville de Grenoble sa Grenoble, France.
Naging daan ang matatag na kampanya para mapataas ni eala ang ranking sa No.763 mula sa dating No. 1,702 sa Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) world rankings.
“The more I play in the women’s, the more I get to be noticed and learn more about the women’s tour. Now I’m just trying to transition my game slowly to the one that will support me in the future,” pahayag ni Eala, kasalukuyang No.3 sa junior division ng International Tennis Federation (ITF).
