Croatian tennis ace and Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekić is now 0–2 against the Philippines’ own Alex Eala. This came after the 20-year-old Quezon City native pulled out a 6–3, 6–4 victory over Vekić on Wednesday at the Kooyong Classic in Australia. The win came on the heels of Eala’s three-set victory over the veteran Croatian in the ASB Classic just last week.
Even so, Vekić was gracious in defeat and gave props to the Filipina tennis bet.
“It was not the easiest conditions playing today, but I think it was still a good match. Congrats to Alex, she played really well. Eventually, I’ll get to you,” said a smiling Vekić in the on-court postmatch interview.
Donna Vekić Shouts Out Filipino Fans
But that’s not all. Vekić also heaped praise on Eala’s Filipino fans and essentially explained, in so many words, the one advantage the Rafa Nadal Academy alum will likely always have anywhere she plays in the world.
“Every time, I feel like we’re playing in the center of the Philippines,” Vekić said of the crowd support Eala gets when she steps on the court. “There’s so many of you guys out there! There’s not even 1% as many Croatians as there are Filipinos here….”
Of course, that probably doesn’t mean Vekić lacks support from her fellow Croatians. Even so, she’d very much welcome it if Filipinos gave her some love, too, especially in the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open.
“But maybe they’ll adopt me and support me in the Australian Open,” Vekić later said with that disarming smile.
Well, as long as she’s not facing Alex Eala, there’s probably no reason Filipino fans can’t shower Donna Vekić with some love as well.
