By Kristel Satumbaga
Alex Eala jumps to a career-high No. 4 in the world junior rankings this week after winning the Australian Open girls doubles event last weekend. (Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook page)
The country’s top junior netter Alex Eala propelled her International Tennis Federation world junior rankings to a career-high No. 4 this week following her successful title stint at the Australian Open Junior Championships over the weekend.
The 14-year-old scholar of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy jumped five notches from No. 9 last week after winning the girls doubles crown with Indonesian partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho and a third-round finish in the girls singles.
Her title feat made her only the second Filipino Grand Slam champion after Francis Casey Alcantara, who won the Australian Open boys doubles title in 2009.
“The win was very unexpected,” said Eala in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas. “It’s really hard to believe that I’ve come this far, but I try not to dwell on what I have now. I’m looking forward to more tournaments.”
That means joining more pro circuit events, including a still unnamed $25,000 ITF event some time in March.
Eala said they have to confirm the plan first with the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Getting pro stints will help firm up Eala’s status this early to make more future Grand Slam appearances – and possibly more Grand Slam titles.
However, she will still continue to join junior tournaments including the pre-Grand Slam event of the Roland Garros in May.
“It’s not easy to be in the court there. I get so nervous, but eventually I need to deal with nerves and still think straight during the matches,” she said.
Eala had come a long way from ending the 2018 season at No. 248 to as high as No. 13 last October.
She started this year at No. 9.
Eala left for Mallorca, Spain on Tuesday to resume both her studies and training at the academy.
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Source: Manila Bulletin
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