Tennis ace Alex Eala drew praise for her perspective on handling pressure after she compared it to what many Filipinos face in their daily lives.
The 20-year-old wunderkind impressed fans with her response during a post-match interview after defeating Russia’s Alina Charaeva at the historic WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open on Monday, January 26.
The match marked Alex’s first homecourt appearance at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and her first time competing professionally in front of a Filipino crowd.
Following her victory, the left-handed star was asked about the pressure she felt competing in the country’s first-ever WTA tournament on home soil.
“Pressure is part of my job, and a lot of people ask me how I handle it. Of course, there’s added pressure playing at home,” Alex shared in the interview.
“But it’s nothing compared to the pressure that regular, everyday Filipinos have to face providing for their families. It’s nothing compared to what my parents have sacrificed to bring me here. I’m doing my best, and I’m trying to enjoy,” she added.
Her response resonated with fellow Filipinos, many of whom praised her grounded perspective.
“I mean, that performance was next level, but her post-match interview? Chef’s kiss!” a Threads user wrote.
“Especially when she said that the pressure is nothing compared to the pressures of every Filipinos providing for their families, she captured everybody’s hearts right there. How can you not love this lady?” the Threads user added.
The post has earned 3,000 likes, 136 reposts, and almost 80 replies on the Meta-owned platform.
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“Teary-eyed listening to her words… full of wisdom,” another commented with emojis.
“Her depth and articulacy are really admirable. I know nothing of tennis, but I’m rooting for her simply because of her character,” a Reddit user wrote.
“What a character! I love you, Alex!! You make me so proud!” another said.
“She got wisdom. Vamos, Alex,” another Redditor commented with a heart emoji.
“Nakakaiyak. Nakaka-proud!” a different Threads user wrote.
“She raised our flag well. She is really an inspiration, a breath of fresh air and worthy of emulation. We, Filipinos is a great race and deserve a living hero like her,” another Pinoy wrote.
Alex has previously been lauded for her efforts to preserve her Pinoy roots by continuing to immerse herself in Filipino culture while training in Spain before turning professional.
ALSO READ: ‘That’s how people bond’: Alex Eala lauded for embracing Filipino language, Pinoy roots
The second seed is set to face either world No. 140 Himeno Sakatsume or No. 204 Nao Hibino of Japan on January 28 at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Dino Maragay
