Alex Eala was over the moon following her victorious stint in the women’s singles event of the W25 Roehampton late Sunday at the National Tennis Center in London.
She said more than collecting her fourth professional singles title, the victory was extra special because it was her anniversary gift to her parents.
“ITF Pro Title No. 4. Just in time for my parents’ 25th anniversary tomorrow. Love you, Mom and Dad,” Eala said in a social media post shortly after posting an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Arina Rodionova of Australia in the final.
Eala’s parents — Mike and Riza — have been very supporting to the tennis career of the 18-year-old rising star, starting from her early days at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy up to her campaigns in the national team and the professional circuit.
In fact, Mike and Riza, as well as her older brother Miko, were at the sidelines when Eala lifted the trophy, which is her second professional title this year after ruling the W25 Yecla event in Spain last June.
But the road to victory wasn’t easy.
Eala started her campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Gabriella Da Silva Flick of Australia in the Round of 32 before booking a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Destanee Aiava of Australia in the Round of 16.
Another Aussie in top seed Priscilla Hon also fell prey to Eala, 6-2, 6-4, in the quarterfinals before the Filipino sensation pulled the rug from under No. 3 Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands in the semifinals, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, to earn a ticket to the final.
Aside from the Roehampton and Yecla crowns, Eala also ruled the W15 Manacor tourney in Spain in 2021 and the W25 Chiang Rai event in Thailand last year.
