By Kristel Satumbaga
Filipino junior netter Alex Eala capped off a successful 2018 season by becoming the Overseas Player of the Year in the girls division.
The plum was awarded by Tennis Europe, citing Eala’s “massive impact in the Tennis Europe Junior Tour” where she ended the season ranked No. 6 in the 14-years-old and under division despite having played just six events.
The 13-year-old Eala started the season in January by triumphing in the Les Petits As that earned her a wildcard berth in the Roland Garros Junior French Championships. However, she failed to barge into the main draw round after losing in her second qualifying match.
Still, Eala managed to win both singles and doubles at Category 1 events in Hasselt and Ossterbeck, as well as at Category 2 events in Nantes. In 2017, she was part of the Doubles Team of the Year after going unbeaten in five events.
