Alex Eala: I grew up watching Pacquiao fights, now I want to inspire young Filipinas

Alex Eala grew up watching Manny Pacquiao fights, huddled around the TV with family and friends, cheering on the Filipino boxing legend.

Now, at 18, Eala is emerging as a role model herself, having become the highest-ranked Filipina in tennis history, and the first player from her country to win a Grand Slam junior singles title.

The talented teen started building a following back home from an early age as she hit No 2 in the world junior rankings when she was only 15. She won the US Open girls’ singles crown in 2022, to go with her two doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.

When she triumphed at the US Open, her face was projected on massive billboards on the side of buildings in Manila. Shortly after, she landed on the cover of Vogue Philippines.

Now competing on the professional circuit, where she is up to a career-high 156 in the live rankings, Eala is grateful for the support she has received from her compatriots at home and across the globe.

“It’s a privilege to have all this love and this fanbase,” Eala told The National on the sidelines of the ongoing Madrid Open.

“I think the Filipinos they’re very hungry to see other Filipinos excel, and I’m also like that. When other athletes and other Filipinos excel, we get very excited, because you don’t see it very often. And I’m really happy to bring that pride and to be able to be a part of that.”

When asked about some of the Filipino athletes she drew inspiration from over the years, Eala does not hesitate to name “Pac-Man”.

“Of course the biggest one is Manny Pacquiao. Ever since I was a little girl, when he would have fights, it’s like a holiday in the Philippines. The families they get together, they watch the fights,” she recalls.