Alex Eala's tennis journey is a 'family project'

The journey of US Open girls' singles champion Alex Eala all started with her family.

Growing up in a family of sports aficionados, Eala said it was her grandfather that first taught her of the sport.

"Coach ko for the first 10 years was my lolo," Eala said in a Mariz Umali report on 24 Oras on Monday. "Talagang it was a family project from the very beginning."

"I think the reason behind me starting tennis and my brother starting tennis is really to spend time with my lolo," she added.

Along the way, Eala said members of her family also became part of her team which she could rely on anytime.

"Their role is everything: manager, parent, guidance. They are everything," shared Eala. "They're there for everything and I'm happy to know that I can go to them for any problems that I have, every win, every loss."

Focus on pro leagues

With a new juniors Grand Slam title in hand, Eala said her next step is to focus more on the women's tours.

"Personally I think that I am doing quite well in the women's tour, professional tour," she said.

Eala is currently no. 288 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings.

"I'm definitely going to focus more on that rather than playing more [in the] juniors."

Eala won her first professional title in January 2021.

While she will shift her priorities to another level, the 17-year old tennis ace said what is important is to enjoy the little things and learning how to prioritize.

"Marami akong dinaanan na hard times and really devastating losses but what's important to me is the happiness that the sport gives me and the love I have for the sport always overpowers any struggling or negativity that I may go through."

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News