Alexandra “Alex” Eala, the young Filipina tennis star, recently shared something personal that resonates far beyond the tennis court. In a pre-US Open interview, she revealed a simple, heartfelt ritual: before every point, she would say a prayer, and she would switch prayers depending on whether she won or lost the point. If she won with Our Father, she’d say Our Father again; if she won with Hail Mary, she’d switch to Hail Mary for the next point. If she lost, she’d pick a different prayer. This approach helped her stay calm, focused, and resilient during a challenging match in New York, where she came from behind to defeat world No. 14 Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6.
Alex’s story isn’t just about religion; it’s a window into how many athletes use spirituality to regulate nerves, build confidence, and maintain composure under pressure. In the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, you often see players making the sign of the cross before serving or returning. That external gesture reflects a deeper question many athletes wrestle with: Where does strength come from?
Kamalayan Mindset of Champions, a program I teach, addresses this very idea in practical terms. I work with athletes before games and emphasize spirituality without trying to change anyone’s beliefs. The key message is not about religion as doctrine, but about the relationship with a higher power, the Source, God, or whatever name someone uses. The goal is to shift from a belief that “God is up there, I am down here” to recognizing that a higher power can be within us, guiding us toward our best.
When athletes align with this inner source, miracles can happen. But alignment isn’t about easy answers; it’s about evolving to a higher consciousness. Lower consciousness is dominated by fear, lack, envy, sickness, anger, and sadness. Higher consciousness centers on love, abundance, happiness, success and peace. The journey isn’t about blind faith or winning at all costs; it’s about transforming mindset so pressure becomes a signal rather than a threat.
There’s a nuance I often discuss that’s worth addressing respectfully. The line in the Hail Mary, “Pray for us sinners,” can carry a heavy guilt weight for some people, especially if they interpret it as a confession of fault or punishment. A constructive reframing could be to honor the idea of striving for better outcomes: “Pray for us winners” can be a reminder that you are aiming for excellence and growth, not just avoiding punishment. Likewise, the Lord’s Prayer, often praised for its depth, can be understood in its original sense and adapted to one’s personal relationship with the divine, focusing on guidance, provision, and peace rather than mechanical ritual.
What matters most is how prayer, sport, and mindset interlock. For many athletes, prayer is a ritual that calms the mind, reconnects them with purpose, and anchors them in the present moment. It’s not a guarantee of victory, but a personal resource that helps convert nervous energy into focused energy, point by point.
If you’re curious about integrating this into your own routine, here are practical steps:
Pick one simple pre-point ritual that resonates with you.
Pair breathwork with the ritual to anchor the mind in the present.
Reframe outcomes as learning opportunities, not judgments of worth.
Cultivate a sense of inner power and connection to something larger than yourself.
Whether you call it prayer, mindfulness, or a conversation with the Source, the underlying idea is the same: access a calm, centered state that supports performance and perhaps, with that steadiness, a few more moments of brilliance on the court.
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