Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland's Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland's Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

Article (news)

Miami Open

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774240499508_DSC0100.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay" width="960"/>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during her match against Poland&#x27;s Magda Linette at the 2026 Miami Open, March 22, 2026. Eala defeated Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2). Photo courtesy of Roman Garay</div>MANILA -- Alex Eala’s 2026 Miami Open campaign got off to a victorious start, and the Filipina tennis ace credits the sport’s demanding grind for her continued rise.The 20-year-old powered into the Round of 16 with wins over Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Poland’s Magda Linette, with Eala saying she is learning to fully lean into the grind to come into her own.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/22/-i-told-myself-to-be-brave-says-alex-eala-on-tough-win-vs-linette-1829">READ: &#x27;I told myself to be brave,&#x27; says Alex Eala on tough win vs. Linette</a></div>“I’ve warmed up to it, for sure,” said Eala after emerging triumphant over Linette, 6-3, 7-6 (2), on Sunday.The 38-year-old Siegemund, whose career-high WTA ranking is No. 27, and Linette, a former world No. 19, are just among the long list of names Eala has defeated in her recent campaigns in WTA 1000 tournaments.For Eala, who also notched wins over Iga Świątek, Madison Keys, and Jelena Ostapenko in the 2025 Miami Open before falling to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, this stretch has allowed her to grow both as a player and as an individual.“It’s taken a toll mentally, but that’s part of the process of becoming a better player and a more mature person,” said Eala. “Every match is very high-level competition, so you don’t have room to let your guard down. It’s very demanding, but I’m happy to play good tennis and see progress.”Aside from being forged under intense pressure, Eala added that learning to take a more balanced approach to her craft has also helped her progress.“One of the things I’m learning to do is switch off ‘tennis mode’ and step outside of tennis,” said Eala, who also met with fellow Filipino icon Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat’s two-time NBA champion head coach, prior to her campaign.“Coach is such an icon,” she said of the Heat’s longtime Filipino-American mentor. “He’s achieved so much, so just to reconnect again after last year was a great experience. Being able to watch another sport gives a different perspective, and I was able to let loose a little bit.”Eala now looks to maintain the same approach when she faces 29-year-old Karolína Muchová, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 8 and is currently No. 14, in the Round of 16.“She’s been doing really well,” said Eala of Muchova. “I watched one of her finals matches years ago, so I’m excited to see how I’ll compete against her. I’m sure I’ll be put in a lot of tough positions, but I’m really excited.”The first-ever meeting between Eala and Muchova is scheduled for Monday at 11:00 p.m. (Philippine time) at the Grandstand of Hard Rock Stadium.

Alex Eala’s 2026 Miami Open campaign got off to a victorious start, and the Filipina tennis ace credits the sport’s demanding grind for her continued rise.

Alex Eala’s 2026 Miami Open campaign got off to a victorious start, and the Filipina tennis ace credits the sport’s demanding grind for her continued rise.

Alex Eala embraces mental toll of tennis in pursuit of greater maturity, continued growth

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Alex Eala embraces mental toll of tennis in pursuit of greater maturity, continued growth

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 23, 2026 12:44 PM PHT

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Tennis

ABSSports

Alex Eala

2026 Miami Open

NBA

Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra

Karolína Muchová

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