Philippine tennis’ latest toast Alex Eala had no expectations heading into the 2020 French Open, but her breakthrough semifinal appearance in the girls singles tournament motivated her to keep working hard on her game. 

“Well for my tennis, there [are] a lot of things I need to improve – my fitness, and my serve, and movement, and a lot of other things,” said Eala during her interview with Rappler.

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“But I think that this was really an eye opener – this past tournament – so we’re definitely going to pay more attention to that.” (FAST FACTS: Who is teen tennis sensation Alex Eala?)

Eala, who prefers the hard court over the clay surface, displayed mental tenacity when she rallied from games and sets down to move deeper into the tournament.  

Though she ended her campaign in the last 4, she was proud of the way she overturned the disadvantages during her games. (RECAP: How Alex Eala marched to a historic French Open semis stint)

“I think it’s important that I know how to reset during a match – how to gather my thoughts and know what to do and how [to make my intensity higher] in any point of the match,” said the juniors world No. 4 netter. 

The 15-year-old Filipina referred particularly to her 2nd round match against German Mara Guth, who she defeated in 3 sets, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. 

Guth was close to ousting Eala early in the tournament with a 4-4 stalemate in the deciding round, but Eala broke serve to deny the German from gaining momentum. 

“I was very nervous because not going into the match not as much as when the 3rd set started or when it was about to start because there was rain delay and everything and I can remember just being nervous and really on edge that match,” recalled Eala. 

Last February, the Rafa Nadal scholar won her first Grand Slam title in the 2020 Australian Open doubles title with partner Indonesian Priska Nugroho. – Rappler.com