By CARLO ANOLIN
Tennis prodigy Alex Eala welcomed the idea of playing for the national team in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
“I’m looking forward to it (SEA Games) so much and I think it’s everyone’s dream to represent their country and I think this is a bigger thing than just an individual sport,” said Eala during the latest episode of former PBA commissioner’s Noli Eala’s program Power and Play.
“And representing your country means you’re doing it for the Philippines and it makes it so much more special.”
The latest date for the 31st SEA Games is set May 12 to 23 next year.
The 16-year-old netter is expecting another heavy schedule next year.
Last September, Eala lost to Sebastianna Scilipoti of Switzerland in the US Girls Singles quarterfinals and also yielded in the doubles play along with Belgian partner Hanne Vandewinkel.
Eala and Russian duo Oksana Selekhmeteva also bagged the Roland Garros Girls double crown last June before competing in the Wimbledon Girls Doubles the next month.
Eala, now ranked No. 4 in the ITF Junior Rankings, opened 2021 with a bang after bagging her first women’s pro title at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W15 Manacor in Spain.
“I wouldn’t guarantee that it’s all four (majors) but playing in the majors is still something that I’m looking forward to next year,” added Eala.
