The 19-year-old is in the midst of a breakout spring and her first WTA clay swing.
ROME, ItalyâAlexandra Eala has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in tennis, and the fans at the Internazionali BNL dâItalia have taken notice of the teen phenom in her debut appearance.
âI didnât expect such a big Filipino population here in Rome,â said the 19-year-old, who will play her first round against Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday.
âBut even just walking the streets, Iâve run into Filipinos five times already. When we walk in the streets, you know when youâre seeing another Filipino!
âItâs such a blessing, of course, to have such a big community. So many places feel like home because of that.â
I think more than my playing style, itâs more the attitude that you get from people. I also watched a lot of [Maria] Sharapova when I was growing up, so a lot of that grit and power I got from her. From Rafa, I got a lot of my fight.
The Filipino fans came out in full force for Ealaâs breakthrough Miami Open run, where she reached the quarterfinals with victories over Jelena Ostapenko and Iga Swiatek. Facing off again last month at the Mutua Madrid Open, the Quezon City native led Swiatek by a set and a break, ultimately falling in three sets.
âI think, personally, I definitely prefer hard courts,â Eala told Tennis Channel on Monday. âThatâs the surface I grew up on, although Iâve been spending time on clay from, obviously everything.
From the junior tour you play a lot on clay, and now on the pro tour has its clay season. I like to think Iâm comfortable on both, but still more comfortable with hard courts.â
The Rafael Nadal Academy alum has definitely spent plenty of time on clay, and looks to slide into her first clay swing by drawing inspiration from her idols.
âI remember one time I watched Rafa [Nadal] in person at Roland Garros,â recalled Eala. âI was probably around 12. I would disagree with people who might say I play similarly to him, but I think more than my playing style, itâs more the attitude that you get from people. I also watched a lot of [Maria] Sharapova when I was growing up, so a lot of that grit and power I got from her. From Rafa, I got a lot of my fight.
âBut I think my favorite thing about watching Sharapova growing up was her outfits!â Eala added with a laugh.
Already decked out in Nike like Nadal and Sharapova before her, is it only a matter of time before the world No. 70 has her own signature line?