Back in high school, tennis was just a weekend hobby for me. I used to enjoy playing it with friends on lazy Saturdays, not for trophies or medals, but for fun. The sound of the racket hitting the ball, the fast movements on the court—it was exciting. But as life moved on, I stopped playing. School, work, and responsibilities came first. Slowly, tennis faded away from my world.
Recently, something surprising happened. I started watching tennis again—not because I wanted to play, but because of a young Filipina tennis player: Alex Eala.
At first, I just saw her name in the news. “Teenager wins international tennis matches.” “Rising star from the Philippines.” Curious, I searched her name online, watched some of her highlights, and then boom—my interest in tennis came back like a fire I didn’t know was still burning.
Alex Eala plays with heart. She runs with determination. She fights for every point like it’s the most important one in her life. And she’s just in her teens! Watching her makes me feel proud—not just as a tennis fan, but as a Filipino. She’s proof that with discipline and passion, we can shine on the world stage.
What’s more inspiring is how humble and focused she is. No drama, no arrogance—just pure love for the game. It reminds me of the joy I used to feel when I played for fun. I may not return to the court myself, but watching Alex makes me feel like I’m part of the game again, even just as a fan.
Every time she plays against world class tennis champions, it’s not just her victory. It feels like a win for all of us—every Filipino who dares to dream, who once held a tennis racket, or who just wants to see our flag rise high.
So here I am, a former weekend player, cheering from the sidelines. Tennis may have been my past, but thanks to Alex Eala, it has become part of my present again.
Keep going, Alex. You’re not just chasing your dreams—you’re inspiring ours too.
Written after her debut at Wimbledon open.
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