Alexandra Eala Press Conference
THE MODERATOR: Alex, incredible match. Talk about what it was like playing out there.
ALEXANDRA EALA: It was an incredible experience. I think the mix of the amazing atmosphere, being in such a beautiful court, as well as such high competition made this match super special for me. I think you saw that in the reaction, as well (smiling).
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. I know you would have loved to end it on the first match point. Talk about staying composed. Obviously Jasmine fought hard in the tiebreak.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think she is an incredible fighter, to be sure. I think I tried to remind myself that I was doing well. I have to watch it again, but I don’t think I did any big disasters during those moments. She earned those points, as well.
I think when my opportunity, that every time the opportunity arose, I tried my best to be brave and go for my ball, yeah.
Q. You had a whirlwind few weeks from Manila to Doha, Abu Dhabi, now in Dubai. Is there anything that you’ve learned in these few past weeks that have changed your game or you personally?
ALEXANDRA EALA: Oh, that’s a very good question.
As the Miami anniversary comes up, I would be coming up on one year of full, really full just WTA tournaments. So I think that comes with a lot of learnings, as well, a lot of maturity.
Especially this past year, 2026, has brought me a lot of love and a lot of attention from the fans (smiling). It does come with its set of struggles and set of sacrifices.
But I think in the end I need to remind myself that this is what I’ve been working my whole life for. How many people would love to be in my position? I make it a point every day to really give my all and be grateful for what I have, yeah.
Q. You just referenced you were playing in Manila. Talk about that experience.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah. Oh, my gosh, I’m really so proud that we were able to host our first WTA event. I think that was a milestone for sport in our country and tennis especially.
I definitely would have wanted to have gone further. But just the fact that I was able to participate and play at home was such a great experience.
Definitely memorable, yeah.
Q. You started the game really well. Did you think it was important to start fast and get the fans behind you?
ALEXANDRA EALA: That’s a good question.
That question’s like every match is important to ‘start fast’ or ‘start well’. I think today I came out on fire. I was very focused. I think I was able to maintain that throughout the whole match. Even more so in the tiebreak. So I’m very happy with that, yeah.
Q. Can you talk about the fans. Obviously a lot of strong support all week, but tonight seemed special.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I saw the stadium was really full. I looked up and there were Filipinos for days (smiling). It’s really such a blessing to be able to play in those sorts of atmospheres.
I am really privileged and thankful that I’m able to introduce kind of this new world or new sporting world, women’s tennis, to a new demographic. I think they’re really enjoying it.
I hope that it would inspire people to take up racquets, young girls and all women of all ages to take up sports.
Q. Tomorrow your next opponent will be Sorana Cirstea. Talk about the prospect of playing her. She just won in Kluj.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, she’d been doing really well recently. I know she won a tournament just a couple weeks ago, I think. She’s a very experienced player. Physically very fit. I’m really excited.
I think each match is a challenge. Everybody at this stage really wants to continue. Yeah, I’m not an exception to that either (smiling).
Q. I don’t know how much you’re a fan the winter sports. If you were to be a winter Olympian, what sport would you choose and why?
ALEXANDRA EALA: I’m not sure. I’m not very knowledgeable on winter sports. I like kind of skating and they go in the rink like this.
Q. Speed skating.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, speed skating. I like that. But I can tell you I’m really, really bad at skiing. I’m so bad.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
