Alex Eala opens up on pressure of representing PH in CBS Mornings interview
Representing a non-traditional tennis country like the Philippines comes with a distinct kind of pressure—one Alex Eala understands all too well.
The Filipina tennis star opened up about what it feels like to have her fellow Filipinos cheering her on in an interview on CBS Mornings after her campaign at the US Open in New York.
Eala told hosts Gayle King, Nate Burleson, and Norah O’Donnell that she has been taking everything that's been going on around her “step by step” instead of getting caught up in the bigger picture.
"I try not to look so much at the bigger picture all the time because I can get lost and it can get overwhelming with a lot of emotions, especially with the support that I get," she said.
"Being around these amazing peers that I have and sharing the stage with people I've looked up to—even Coco (Gauff), even though she's just a year older than me, I grew up alongside her, watching her on TV, and, of course, Venus (Williams) being a legend—to be able to share the stage with these people is amazing," she continued.
When asked whether she feels overwhelmed by all the support, Eala acknowledged that her job "definitely comes with pressure."
"The life of a competitive athlete comes with pressure, but pressure is a privilege, and I have never been able to relate to something more," she said.
"Now when I face high-pressure situations, I'm able to take it in my stride, and especially with the experience I've been gaining this year, I look forward to being in those situations. So this US Open has just been so great for me," she added.
With the spotlight now shining on Philippine tennis, Eala hopes her journey inspires others to chase their dreams.
"One thing I've learned this past year is really the power of representation and how deep of an effect inspiration can have. When I interact with the people who support me and they tell me their stories, it really touches me," she highlighted.
With her journey at the US Open over after losing to Iva Jovic, she shared that she is also rooting for Gauff.
"I think Coco's been on such a good run recently. More than anything, what I look up to Coco for is her grit and the mentality she has. She's a beast and she's physically amazing. She's got great shots, so much power," Eala said.
Far from slowing down, Eala is set to compete in the Singapore Open and the Asian Games before heading to the Philippine Arena in December for a homecoming exhibition against Indonesia’s Janice Tjen.
