Eala returns home to hero’s welcome

LEFTIE PRO Eala autographs tennis balls presented by young fans who welcomed her on Sunday. —Presidential Management Staff

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala returned home on Sunday for a short vacation in Manila before her US Open swing.

The 21-year-old arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to a hero’s welcome following her historic run at Wimbledon in London, where she became the first Filipino to make the round of 16 in a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Eala will hold a fan meet on Wednesday at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

She had her best campaign in a major yet before yielding to World No. 13 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in three sets in the last 16.

In her sixth Grand Slam main draw appearance, Eala, currently ranked 29th in the world, unseated defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland in the third round.

Next matches

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate will compete in the Mubadala DC Open—a WTA 500 tournament—slated from July 27 to Aug. 2 in Washington to kick off her hardcourt swing.

Eala then heads to Toronto for the Canadian Open from Aug. 1 to 13. Before the US Open, Eala is expected to grace the Stars of the Open—a US Open fan week.

She will compete in her second US Open main draw appearance, a year after she earned her first Grand Slam win as a pro. /cb