Alex Eala is not taking anything for granted after her Round of 16 win against Petra Marcinko in the singles tournament of the 2026 WTA 250 ASB Classic on Thursday.
The Price of Popularity
It’s not too much of a stretch to say that Alex Eala of the Philippines is one of the most popular players in all of tennis today. That’s in part due to the thousands, if not millions, of Filipinos who support her, whether live during her matches, on social media, or in whatever way possible.
But there’s a price to pay for being popular, and the former Rafa Nadal Academy alum knows that full well. That’s why she’s soaking it all in for sure.
“A lot of people mention the word pressure when they talk about all this hype and attention. But you can’t take anything for granted,” Eala said after she punched a ticket to the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand.
Really, the 20-year-old star is just grateful for all the support and love she’s been getting as she looks to advance her career even more after last year’s breakout.
“So, I don’t take anything for granted. All the support and all the love is an added bonus, and I’m very grateful for it,” she added as she described it as a “different” match compared to her Round of 32 singles outing against Donna Vekić.
“I’m very happy with the match. Different conditions from the night session that I played the other day. Overall, a great level,” she said.
Expectations: The Curse and Blessing of Being Popular
Fact is, almost every tennis fan in the world has heard the name “Alex Eala.” This popularity—perhaps even notoriety—is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because the 20-year-old has become a household name and is now adored by many, Filipinos or otherwise. But this popularity is also a curse, as it comes with higher expectations.
The expectation in this case is that Eala’s popularity isn’t just about her being Filipino or the fact that she graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy. People now expect her to be great, to win, to advance through the ranks. People expect bigger things from Eala, and that’s the only way she’ll stay popular and relevant. Anything less and the hype could die a natural death.
At the same time, these expectations can only help fuel Alex Eala even more. This is a chance for the young Filipino to live up to lofty standards that many have begun setting for her. She has already proven she can win. Now, she has to prove it over and over and over.
Then again, she’ll lose her fair share, too, and everyone needs to understand that losing is part of the journey. But maybe, just maybe, Alex Eala has what it takes to win a lot more. Whatever the future holds, it’s on her to make all the hype, the support, and the love worth it.
That journey is only beginning.
