Jan Angelo Batongbakal

Zoren Legaspi says he is ‘emotionally proud’ seeing success of Alex Eala

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Kapuso actor Zoren Legaspi expressed how proud he is to witness the success that Filipina Tennis superstar Alex Eala is achieving at the WTA tour. In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda earlier this month, the celebrity father recalled the earlier days when Alex and her brother, Miko, would train in the same club as Mavy and Cassy Legaspi. </p><p>“Nakita ko talaga yung hard work–– I saw everything,” Zoren shared.</p><p>Alex made history this year by being the first Filipina to win a WTA 500 event in Washington DC. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/8/8/venus-williams-praises-alex-eala-alex-is-a-world-star-0024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Venus Williams praises Alex Eala: ‘Alex is a world star’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%">The Kapuso star added how close he was with Alex and Miko’s grandfather, coach Bob Maniego, as they were always together when reserving for tennis courts. Zoren previously trained his children and even sent them to several tournaments.</span></div><p>“Very close ako sa kanya because kasi kami lagi nauuna sa court. We have to reserve the court–– magkapitbahay kami sa court–– we have to be there very early. Siya nagwowork out pa, naka-all white yun–– always ready. Kaya nakita ko yung hard work nila–– I saw everything,” he recalled.</p><p>When asked how the demeanor of Alex is, Zoren maintained that she has always been focused and disciplined.</p><p>“Hindi ito yung tawa-tawa. That’s not allowed in the court. Once you enter the court, kailangan prim and proper ka, maganda yung get up mo–– you’re ready to play. Ang nakita ko sa kanila first and foremost is the discipline. Yung disciplina nasa kanila and they follow instructions. Makikita mo kaagad sa kanila na very coachable,” he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/23/who-said-this-alex-eala-s-amazing-grass-season-in-2026-became-an-inspiration-to-filipinos-1610" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>WHO SAID THIS: Alex Eala’s amazing grass season in 2026 became an inspiration to millions of Filipinos</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>While he shared how proud he is of Alex and the success she’s been getting while on the WTA tour, Zoren expressed how most people don’t know the challenges a tennis athlete has to go through each match.</p><p>“If you’re not a tennis player, bawat kalaban kailangan may iba-ibang diskarte. At kailangan yung bawat diskarte na yun, master mo. If I can drop shot you, eh ang bilis mo humabol sa drop shot, I need to change,” he explained.</p><p>Zoren shared how aggressive Alex has been when it comes to returning the serves of her opponents and she just “goes for it.” The Filipina tennis superstar has been praised by several tennis players and commentators about her return game.</p><p>The Kapuso actor stated how lovable her personality is–– making her an easy favorite of millions of tennis fans worldwide.</p><p>“I’m emotionally proud like I said na when I see her raising the trophy, iba yung nararamdaman ko. I feel so emotional dahil nga nakita ko yung hirap. For the people who don&#x27;t really know much about tennis, ang tennis is like running a marathon. While running a marathon, you’re playing chess and while you’re playing chess, you’re playing darts. Ganyan kahirap ang tennis, napakahirap,” he ended.</p><p>Though Alex just lost Amanda Anisimova in the 2026 Cincinnati Open, she is gearing up for the US Open which will run from August 30 to September 13. </p>