Alex Eala on possible SEA Games stint: ‘It’s in my plans’

Alexandra "Alex" Eala is gearing up for another possible national duty, revealing that a return to the Southeast Asian Games stage is already in her sights.

Eala shared that the upcoming 2025 SEA Games in Thailand are part of her plans following a busy WTA season, barring any changes to her schedule.

"Yes, it is in my plans," the 20-year-old Eala said in the post-match press conference at the Hong Kong Open last Thursday.

Eala's last SEA Games stint was in 2021, where she was able to capture three medals after seizing bronze in women's singles, mixed doubles, and women's team events.

The Filipina tennis ace would miss the 2023 edition in Cambodia and would be busy competing in several tennis events across the globe in the following years.

This year alone, Eala had a huge leap in her young career.

She recently reached a career-high WTA ranking at no. 51 following a busy season that started with a historic run at the Miami Open in March, where she defeated higher-ranked foes on the way to reaching the semifinals.

She also made her maiden Grand Slam main draw debut at the Wimbledon, but got her first-ever main draw win in the US Open.

Although she wasn’t able to advance further, Eala made history by ruling the Guadalajara 125 Open to capture her first-ever WTA 125 title — a first for any Filipino athlete.

READ MORE | Alex Eala and her 2025 WTA season: Results, achievements, and milestones

Eala closed out her season at the Hong Kong Open following a Round of 16 loss to world no. 21 Victoria Mboko last Thursday.

"I’m so so proud. I think it just adds sentimental value because it’s my last match of the season," Eala added.

"And now, just after the match, especially after having put up such a good performance, I was just overwhelmed with emotions, happiness, and gratitude for everything that's happened to me this year."

Eala added she simply wants to enjoy everything she and her team have achieved this year, which has already exceeded her expectations.

"I think I’m just going to enjoy what I and my team’s achieved this season before thinking about the next one because I’m really so happy and blessed," she shared.

"To have that team around me and to have experienced what I experienced this year. It’s really amazing. The target I had to end the year was top 100 and we passed that by a milestone so I’m so happy."

READ MORE | Alex Eala’s World Ranking in 2025: Updated week-by-week ranking

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