Eala keeps fingers crossed in Melbourne

MANILA, Philippines — It’s the same venue but definitely a whole different atmosphere for Alex Eala as she marks her return to the Australian Open, this time in the far tougher women’s singles for only the first time in her young career.

A junior doubles Grand Slam champion of the Australian Open back in 2020, Eala is back in Melbourne for a much-awaited pro debut with hopes of marching on all the way from the qualifying draw.

“Of course, I have fond memories of Melbourne and the Australian Open as this is where I won my first Junior Grand Slam title,” said Eala in the ITF website ahead of the AO qualifiers firing off tomorrow until Thursday.

“Coming here as a professional is not the same as coming here as a junior. I am just as excited, but this is a new journey for me. Unlike juniors, I am not one of the top-seeded players anymore and if I am going to feature in the main draw, I will have to fight.”

Eala, who won the AO girls’ doubles title with Indonesian pal Priska Madelyn Nugroho three years ago, gained a qualifying draw ticket after a steady rise in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.

Only 17 years of age, Eala is now ranked No. 215 in the WTA after starting from way outside Top 2000.