In this article:
- A Slice of Home on the Global Tour
- The “Pambansang Bunso,” Uniting Global Pinoys
- Shaped by Multiple Cultures and Mindsets
- Paving a Path for the Next Generation of Athletes
- Stepping Into Her Next Chapter
- Staying Updated with Alex’s Career Highs
A stadium packed with fans waving Philippine flags, excitedly echoing the now-popular “Let’s go, Alex!” chant is a familiar scene at every Alex Eala match.
Yet in striking contrast to that roaring stadium energy is her quiet, remarkably grounded demeanor off the court. It’s this genuine humility that fuels her deep connection with Filipino communities worldwide.
As a Globe Ambassador, the country’s “Pambansang Bunso” carries a piece of the Philippines with her wherever she goes.
During her recent Manila homecoming event hosted by Globe, Alex connected directly with students, young athletes, and supporters in the Philippines, while fans around the world tuned in through a global livestream.
In one of the event’s most touching moments, Globe presented her with a video compilation of messages from international fans. Alex was visibly moved to tears as supporters shared how her fighting spirit inspired their own lives and triumphs.
That same grounded passion takes center stage in Globe’s exclusive Alex Eala interview. She talks about how she stays anchored to her roots, which fuel her historic rise among the world’s best tennis players.
A Slice of Home on the Global Tour
Navigating foreign time zones and spending long periods away from home is part of life on the pro circuit. But despite competing in unfamiliar cities, Alex creates her own sense of comfort wherever the tour takes her.
Image Credit: Mark Blinch/Wick Photography for National Bank Open
“When I’m alone in a random hotel room after a tough match or training day, I love putting on a movie, zoning out to my music playlists, or looking for comforting dishes like adobo to make the place feel a bit more like home,” Alex reveals.
That comfort often finds her in unexpected places.
During her tournament run in Toronto, organizers and the venue’s executive chef took notice of her growing fanbase and added chicken adobo, and later, pork lumpia, directly to the concessions menu.
Inspired by the packed, flag-waving crowds at Sobeys Stadium, the gesture brought the warmth of home straight to the court, leading Alex to playfully post on social media, “Saya pala dito sa barangay Toronto” (“Turns out, it’s fun here in Barangay Toronto”).
The “Pambansang Bunso,” Uniting Global Pinoys
Far beyond that “Barangay Toronto” moment, a similar sense of homecoming follows Alex across every international tournament. Overseas Filipino workers and communities of Pinoys living abroad have turned tournament venues into a sea of blue, red, and white, showcasing Pinoy pride.
Win or lose, fans rally behind her as the “Pambansang Bunso,” at times even warmly cheering for her opponents whenever exemplary sportsmanship is on display.
That shared cultural bond resonated globally when she debuted the phrase “Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto.” (“Once it grows, it can’t be stopped.”) on her gear at Wimbledon. The phrase quickly caught fire online as a broader symbol of Filipino perseverance.
Image Credit: Alex Eala IG
“For me, ‘Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto’ perfectly describes the journey,” Alex discloses when asked about the story behind the phrase. “Every dream starts out as a tiny seed, and through years of daily hard work behind the scenes, you watch it slowly grow.”
Her personal journey has also grown into a source of shared hope and national pride.
“More than anything, just knowing everyone back home is cheering for me and seeing the Filipino flag in the stands makes me feel like I never really left, no matter where I am in the world,” she adds. “Being able to share that relentless laban spirit with the nation makes me so proud.”
Shaped by Multiple Cultures and Mindsets
Alex Eala’s story is built on years of hard work and steady growth. At just 13 years old, Alex made the life-changing decision to move to Mallorca, Spain, after earning a scholarship at the Rafa Nadal Academy (RNA).
Combining her Filipino fighting spirit with years of training at the RNA, she has learned to balance drive with discipline and patience on the court. These different influences have helped shape her mentality as a player.
“Growing up and training at the Rafa Nadal Academy, I was constantly surrounded by that culture of resilience and intensity,” she reflects on her formative years in Spain. “So watching Rafa definitely inspired me to bring that ‘never-give-up’ energy into my own game.”
Image Credit: Yahoo! Sports with image from Timothy A. Clary/AFP
Beyond her Nadal-inspired forehand, her game features a tricky lefty serve packed with pektus. Once doubted by critics, its deceptive spin and placement have become a primary weapon for disrupting her opponents’ rhythm.
That tactical grit shone in her grueling Round of 32 clash against close friend and American rising star Iva Jovic. The three-hour thriller, which Jovic described as feeling like a full marathon, was praised by commentators as a finals-caliber battle and a match-of-the-year contender, proving Alex’s continuous growth on the pro circuit.
“You’re taught at the academy that no point is over until it’s over, and over time, that training becomes second nature,” she notes. “So while the raw fighting spirit might be natural, learning how to channel that fire and trust my effort under pressure is something I work on constantly.”
Paving a Path for the Next Generation of Athletes
For Alex, inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes is as important as the legacy she hopes to build.
“Growing up, there weren’t many Filipinos competing at the highest levels of tennis,” she recalls. “I’m just so happy that my success can help make the sport more mainstream at home and make that dream feel real for the next generation,” she adds.
Her pride in representing the Philippines also extends to the choices she makes as an athlete. In her quest to bring home Asian Games glory, she chose to suit up for the national team despite the physical toll and the possibility of Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour penalties and fines.
Alex has consistently spoken about the honor of representing the Philippines on the international stage. Her decision to compete at the Asian Games reflects that commitment, even with the potential professional consequences.
As nationwide interest in her journey continues to build, she’s eager to convert that excitement into concrete grassroots support, including her long-held dream of hosting a local tennis training camp.
“I hope that soon I’ll be able to put things together,” she shared in a previous Globe exclusive interview when asked about her plans for a local tennis training camp. “Following the tour has made me so busy, but I really would love to have one [tennis training camp] here in the Philippines.”
Ultimately, Alex envisions a future with more Filipino athletes pursuing their own paths in tennis and competing on the world stage.
Image Credit: Glorietta Instagram
“I want young Filipino athletes to look at my path and realize they belong on the world stage without having to leave the country just to chase their dreams,” Alex explains. “If years from now there are more Filipinos competing globally because they looked at me and said, ‘I want to make my own path, and I want to be the first me,’ that would be the most meaningful part of my success.”
Stepping Into Her Next Chapter
With years of international tour experience now behind her, Alex views this next chapter as an opportunity to build on her progress and continue reaching new levels in her game.
“I’m ready to take that next massive step,” she affirms. “As long as I’m constantly growing and breaking into the next level of my game, I know I’m moving in the right direction to really make my mark on the biggest stages.”
That relentless drive to push beyond her limits is what continues to fuel her evolution as a world-class competitor. Yet, no matter how high her career takes her on the global stage, she never loses sight of the young dreamers following in her footsteps.
Alex’s message to young athletes remains simple and timeless: “Keep dreaming and keep going for it.”
Staying Updated with Alex’s Career Highs
As Alex continues her rise up the world rankings, fans can always be on the lookout for Alex’s latest updates and stories, including where she’s playing next.
Whether you're cheering from home or following the action on the go, Globe offers different ways to stay connected to every serve, rally, and victory.
At home, GFiber plans and GFiber Prepaid offer high-speed internet bundled with free access to BlastTV, a go-to streaming destination for live WTA action. For those watching on the go, customizable prepaid data promos or postpaid plans make it easier to stay locked into live tournament scores anywhere in the world.
Catch every exciting match point in real time as Alex takes the court. Power your view with a reliable connection today, and join in celebrating every step of her journey.
