Mula sa pagiging “talk of the town,” mabilis din binato ng batikos si Alexandra “Alex” Eala dahil sa hindi magandang resulta ng kanyang dalawang huling torneo nya.
Tila may iilan na hindi kuntento sa bronze medal ng 21-anyos sa 20th Asian Games sa Nagoya, Japan.
Sinundan pa ito ng mabilisang pagkakasibak sa Wuhan Open sa China.
Tinalo ng qualifier na si Han Shi ng host China si Eala, na ngayon ay world No. 19, sa first round, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Laglag din si Eala at kaibigan na si Zeynep Sonmez ng Turkiye sa doubles nang hindi sila umubra kina Dayana Yastremska at Anhelina Kalinina ng Ukraine, 2-6 3-6, sa round of 32.
Agad na naglabas ng pahayag ng suporta para kay Eala si John Rey Tiangco, secretary general ng Philippine Tennis Association (Philta).
“Alex Eala has already achieved what many once thought impossible. She has single-handedly put the Philippines on the world tennis map. Today, conversations about international tennis include Alex Eala and the Philippines. That alone is a remarkable achievement,” ani Tiangco.
Ani Tiangco, ang pag-angat bilang world No. 18
ni Eala at panalo laban sa ilan sa nasa itaas ng world ranking ay bumago sa pananaw sa tennis sa Pilipinas at nagpakilala sa bansa sa international audience.
“We are equally grateful for her decision to represent our country at the Asian Games, putting the Philippine flag ahead of other opportunities,” ani Tiangco.
“At this level of competition, victories and defeats are part of the journey. What matters is Alex’s determination to keep improving, her discipline, and her commitment to the sport. Alex has already won something bigger than any single tournament. She has inspired a nation and opened doors for the next generation of Filipino tennis players.”
Idiniin ni Tiangco na pinagmamalaki nila si Eala.
“We at Philta are immensely proud of Alex, grateful for everything she has done for Philippine tennis, and fully behind her as she continues to make history,” ani Tiangco.