Alex Eala will focus on competing in more Women’s Tennis Association matches this year.
In a television interview, Eala said she wants to join more professional matches and get herself more accustomed to playing in the WTA Tour.
Eala recently competed in her first Grand Slam in the women’s singles at the 2023 Australian Open but crashed out of the first qualifying round after a 6-3, 6-7, 3-6 loss to Misaki Doi last Monday in Melbourne Park.
“My goal for this year is to be more integrated into the WTA Tour. We’re going to follow more or less the calendar and do the best that I can to enter all of the Slams. That’s what my goal is: to be more of a professional and develop my career,” Eala said.
The 17-year-old netter is set to play her first WTA tournament of the year in the WTA 250 Thailand Open set from 30 January to 5 February in Hua Hin, Thailand.
As for her availability in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh this May, Eala said it will depend on her schedule in the professional circuit.
“Well, as for SEA Games, it’s still very early in the year. I will have to look back at the schedule because it has to be flexible and I’m not sure if it will collide with the upcoming Grand Slams,” said Eala, who pocketed three bronze medals last year’s edition of the biennial games in Hanoi.
Daniel Gomez, one of Eala’s coaches in the Rafael Nadal Academy, said he wants to see the Filipino tennis prodigy be more aggressive in her matches and be fast in her movements.
While she has made a lot of progress, Gomez wants the No. 214 player to not rush herself into being the best.
“The expectations are positive. She’s improving a lot in all of the areas of her tennis physically, mentally, and technically. We are all very positive for this year but it is important to have little steps and not rush for anything,” Gomez said.
“She has to be aggressive in her game. We are focusing on her moving as fast as she can in her shots and keep being as aggressive as she likes to be.”
