Eala: "I have witnessed poverty in my surroundings"

Pedro de Pablos | 22 Mar 2026 | 10.18

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Alexandra Eala is one of the big names on the WTA circuit. The emergence of the Filipina tennis player has been a breath of fresh air for tennis, and at the Miami Open 2026, she highlighted the tough journey she has taken to get where she is. Eala has revealed the poverty she has seen around her since she was young, emphasizing that she has not been given anything for free.

Eala is currently ranked 29th in the world, although at the Miami Open, she faces the pressure of defending last year's semifinals to avoid a drop in the rankings. It was in this tournament that her media boom started in 2025, and now that she is a regular at major events, she reflected during a press conference on all the struggles she endured to reach the elite. Alexandra will face Karolina Muchova tomorrow for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Alexandra Eala's full press conference at the Miami Open and interview with Tennis Channel

Match against Linette

I think I did very well. Magda put me in difficult situations, especially in that second set, so I am very happy to have overcome it. I believe it was a good serving day for me, with a high first serve percentage. That gave me the freedom to go further in certain points, knowing that I was more solid today.

Second set tiebreak

I just told myself to be brave, to do everything I could. I couldn't control how she was playing. I think she improved in the second set, so I tried to execute my shots, and fortunately, they were effective.

Accustomed to major tournaments?

It takes time to get used to. I have of course adjusted; the facilities are amazing at these events, and you are treated very well. The most important thing I had to adapt to is, of course, the level of players. Each match is at a very high competition level, so you no longer have room to drop your guard. It's tough, but I am happy to play good tennis and see progress in my game.

Key factor in the tennis elite

Definitely, what changes the most is the mental aspect, but it is also part of the process of becoming a better player and a more mature person who knows how to deal with that. I think one of the things I've learned to do is to change my mood with tennis and fill my life outside of tennis, so I believe that really helps.

Next round against Muchova

I am very excited. I haven't thought much about it. Haven't had time to dwell on it much. It's obvious she is a great player and doing very well. A couple of years ago, I watched one of her finals, and I was really impressed. Having the opportunity to compete against her is a real privilege and undoubtedly a challenge.

Grateful for the life she leads

I think recognizing that I am fortunate to be living my life, or the life I live. Of course, I have earned it. I have undoubtedly worked hard, that is undeniable. On the other hand, I think it is very important to be grateful for what you have. I have witnessed poverty around me, in my surroundings. I don't take anything for granted, especially my family and my team, nor the opportunities I am lucky to enjoy. That is why I commit to always being grateful.

Pre-match routine

Well, first of all, I talk to my coaches and write on my slides. I believe the routines I have every day include having that long warm-up before playing, then eating, and then taking a shower. It helps me, automatically puts me in that mental state and tells my body, 'hey, you have a match'.

Relationship with pets

Personally, I have never had a real pet. But no, I think it's great for players to have that kind of companions. I guess, in the end, they are an addition to the team. The season is long, so for them to be able to rely on that extra team member is great. I don't see myself doing that in the near future. But yes, it brings good vibes, as long as they don't bite.

What she does during rain delays

It varies. I think the first thing is to stay warm. We have to see how the weather evolves because it is always very unpredictable. But no one knows what will happen, right? We cannot predict the future. We do our best to manage what we can. It also depends on the time of day, whether we have eaten... I think, in general, we try to stay warm and stay alert.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Eala: "He sido testigo de la pobreza en mi entorno"