Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala practices at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on May 5, 2026, in preparation for her match against Polish tennis player Magdalena Frech.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala practices at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on May 5, 2026, in preparation for her match against Polish tennis player Magdalena Frech.   Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ITALIAN OPEN-  Alex Eala

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177961193805320260506-italian-open-alex-eala-DC1777988233406365.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala practices at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on May 5, 2026, in preparation for her match against Polish tennis player Magdalena Frech. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala practices at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on May 5, 2026, in preparation for her match against Polish tennis player Magdalena Frech. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will step onto the clay courts of Roland Garros with a greater sense of confidence this year.Eala had made her French Open debut last year, losing to Colombia&#x27;s Emiliana Arango in the first round.&quot;I definitely feel more prepared than last year,&quot; Eala said ahead of her first round match. &quot;I think I have improved a lot on the surface. Of course, I have such a long way to go, but I think I&#x27;ve improved a lot in the past year as a player, and it&#x27;s truly helped me manage the challenges that come with the surface for me.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/23/alex-eala-draws-bigger-crowds-ahead-of-french-open-campaign-0813">READ: Alex Eala draws bigger crowds ahead of French Open campaign</a></div>The 21-year-old enters the tournament as world No. 38, but she will face a tough test against No. 17 Iva Jovic of the United States in the first round.Eala remains unfazed by the tough draw, however. &quot;I&#x27;m super excited for this week. We do the preparation, obviously, to arrive to the Grand Slam. So I&#x27;m feeling good. I&#x27;m happy — nothing on the line, nothing to lose. So I&#x27;m really excited,&quot; she said.Inspired by Rafael Nadal, Eala has made no secret of her desire to master clay, saying: &quot;Anything I can take from Rafa, I&#x27;ll take with pride.&quot;Ahead of the French Open, Eala competed in Strasbourg, losing to Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova in a grueling three-set affair.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will step onto the clay courts of Roland Garros with a greater sense of confidence this year.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will step onto the clay courts of Roland Garros with a greater sense of confidence this year.

Tennis: Alex Eala says 'more prepared' for French Open

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Tennis: Alex Eala says 'more prepared' for French Open

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 24, 2026 04:41 PM PHT

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tennis

French Open

Alex Eala

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