By MARK REY MONTEJO
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala quietly flied back home on Friday, July 11, for a much deserved break before seeing action again in hardcourt later this month in preparation for the US Open.
Fresh off an impressive campaign in the grasscourt events in Europe, the 20-year-old Eala shared a photo of her relaxing and drinking a buko juice on her Instagram story Friday, July 11.
Eala was close to winning her first WTA tournament but was overpowered by Australian Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-2, 6(10)-7, in the finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open.
She also made it to the main round of the Wimbledon but – again – she was beaten by then defending champion Czech Barbora Krejkova, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
She also failed to get past the first round in women’s doubles.
Still, she earned millions for making the main draw, a feat no other Filipino has ever achieved in the past.
After her break, Eala, who is currently ranked No. 56 in the world, is calendared to take part in the National Bank Open in Canada from July 26 to Aug. 7.
Top American players like Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula, are expected to take part in the event.
This would be part of Eala’s preparation for the US Open slated Aug. 24 to Sept. 7.
