Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open, January 29, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Colombian tennis player Camila Osorio face Alex Eala in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open quarterfinals at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on January 29, 2026. A major crowd drawer, Eala failed to reach the semifinals after losing to Osorio (4-6, 4-6). Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

WTA125-PH OPEN QUARTERFINALS- OSORIO vs EALA

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177497350386320260129-w125-ph-quarterfinals-eala-vs-osorio-JC-35.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Philippine Women&#x27;s Open, January 29, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Philippine Women&#x27;s Open, January 29, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</div>Alex Eala has joined fellow pro players Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, and half-Filipina Desirae Krawczyk on the Players Box Podcast. It was a fun conversation that really showed the off-court personalities of the pros.Alex joined the conversation while she was still in Miami and shared that she was getting ready to leave for Spain. She said she’s excited to play the clay court season, starting with Linz WTA 500 in Austria, then Stuttgart and Madrid, before the French Open.On the lighter side, Alex shared that she’s a proud matcha drinker—not a big coffee person.Madison Keys talked about her experience playing Alex at the Miami Open 2025. She said she found it funny that she, an American, was playing in the U.S., but the crowd was mostly Filipino—cheering for Alex.When asked by Jessica Pegula how her life has changed since reaching her all-time high ranking and rising popularity, Alex shared that some things have changed, and some haven’t. She still trains the same every day.“I still train every day, day to day, and my life is still all about tennis.”But she has definitely noticed the rise of Filipino supporters wherever she goes. At first, she wasn’t used to it, but now that it’s become a common sight for Filipinos to pack the stands, she’s accepted that she is, as she says, “somewhat famous.”“When I go to different cities, I now get recognized and asked for pictures.”Jessica and Des both shared that they could hear the crowd cheering for Alex all the way from their hotel room during the Dubai WTA 1000.“Every stadium was completely filled,” said Des.Alex also talked about how surprised she was that even her practice sessions in Australia were packed with Filipinos watching. She recalled one time when it got really crowded after she walked off the practice court.“But I’m well-equipped to handle all this attention because even when I was lower-ranked, in qualies, there were already people supporting me,” Alex said.“What’s the most Filipino thing you do during a tournament?” Jessica asked Alex.“Pray when I get really nervous—that’s a super Filipino thing. And sunscreen—I put it on religiously.”When asked where she would take guests in the Philippines, Alex confidently said:“Boracay is one of the most famous places to go—it’s not overrated. I’d probably take you guys there.”She also mentioned: “I’d show you the shell court in the Philippines. It’s like a clay court—it’s crushed shells.”“And the court I practiced on that was basically half a basketball court, with a short baseline. I think that’s why I have a flat ball, because I couldn’t move back,” she added.<div> </div><div>Filipino food everyone needs to try?</div>“Puto bumbong—a purple rice cake with brown sugar and coconut flakes. Yes, I love sapin-sapin. We love rice and desserts.”Madison Keys asked Alex how she ended up at the Rafa Nadal Academy.“I joined a tournament in France—Les Petits. I won it when I was 12. A couple of months later, the Academy reached out to my parents.”“I really enjoyed Academy life. I moved there with my brother, which made it easier. I built so many meaningful friendships.”<div> </div><div>On being more social, Alex shared:</div>“My success in tennis has given me confidence to approach other people more while I’m on tour. It helped me connect with the other girls.”She also talked about her closest friends on tour—Zeynep Sönmez, Eva Lys, Victoria Mboko, and Iva Jovic.“I think it’s super healthy. The way our lives are built around professional tennis—it’s definitely not normal. You don’t have that space to grow your social life through a routine at home, building that web of connection. So having that female support on tour is really important,” Alex said.“I think it’s so cute—you’re all so young and doing so well. You all make me feel so old,” Jessica Pegula joked.Jennifer Brady started a game called: “Ealavate Your Social Game.”Question: Who on tour is the easiest person to talk to?Jennifer Brady said Madison Keys—and Jessica agreed, saying she always has an inside joke with everyone.“Ellen Perez is super, super approachable,” Alex added.Next question: What’s harder—returning serve or starting small talk at a player party?Alex said, “Depends whose serve. If it’s mine, I’d say starting a chat at a party. But if it’s Maddy’s (Madison Keys), returning serve is harder.”“Your serve was hard to return,” Madison told Alex. “That lefty serve—the Filipino slider.”Do you prefer 1-on-1 conversations or group settings?Madison said she prefers either one-on-one or smaller group chats—not too big.“I love a good group, but I find myself having more one-on-ones,” Alex shared.Do you correct people who say your name wrong?“I let it slide a lot,” Alex said. “Even when I ask for courts, I always have to spell out my name—Eala, E-A…”“In Europe, I get ‘Medicine’ a lot,” Madison added. “I also have to spell out my last name.”Des and Alex both confirmed they love singing karaoke.“Growing up, we always had karaoke—and it was always Celine Dion.”Who still makes you starstruck?“Venus Williams,” Alex said.Favorite social media personality?“Jake Shane—he also has a podcast. He’s super funny.”An athlete from another sport you’d like to meet?“Manny Pacquiao,” Alex said.Any celebrity crushes?Alex just laughed.“I’m not disclosing!”

Alex Eala joined fellow pro players Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, and half-Filipina Desirae Krawczyk on the Players Box Podcast.

Alex Eala joined fellow pro players Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, and half-Filipina Desirae Krawczyk on the Players Box Podcast.

Alex Eala, fellow pros reveal off-court personalities on the Players Box Podcast

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Alex Eala, fellow pros reveal off-court personalities on the Players Box Podcast

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 01, 2026 12:07 AM PHT

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Updated April 01, 2026 12:11 AM PHT

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