Filipina tennis standout Alex Eala concluded her season with a runner-up finish at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open over the weekend, falling to Claire Liu 3-6, 0-6 in the final.
Despite the championship loss, the 21-year-old is projected to climb to a career-high No. 15 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings—marking a historic milestone as the highest ranking ever achieved by a Filipina or female Southeast Asian player.
Reflecting on her breakout year during her on-court post-match interview, an emotional Eala expressed deep gratitude for her supporters and fans.
“Wrapping up this year, you guys do not know how much meaning you add on top of what I do,” Eala said. “And how much of a pleasure it is to go about my life sharing these moments with you all, so I’m forever grateful.”
Eala reserved her highest praise for her family and coaching team, crediting her support system for navigating the grueling season by her side.
“This season just changed my life for the better,” she said, fighting back tears. “And I’m incredibly proud of the work we put in this year.”
Emphasizing that her success was a collective effort, she added:
“We’re the only ones who truly know what it took to arrive to this point in our journey. So thank you so much. Congratulations. This is only the beginning. And this one, like all of them, is ours, so congratulations.”