Alex Eala has reflected on her “amazing” campaign at the 2026 Canadian Open following her straight-set last 16 loss to Belinda Bencic.
The Filipina star fell 4-6, 0-6 to 14th-ranked Bencic in the fourth round at the hard-court WTA 1000 tournament on Sunday night.
World No 20 Eala, who was making her debut in Toronto, earned three-set wins against Alycia Parks and Caty McNally in her first two matches.
The 21-year-old arrived in Canada after she won the Washington Open to secure her first-ever WTA title.
Here is everything Eala said in her press conference after her exit in Toronto.
Q. Alex, obviously a tough one out there today, but you had a great run for your first tournament here in Toronto. Can you just give us your thoughts on the tournament overall.
EALA: Yeah, tough one today. I think, yeah, Belinda put me in some tough situations. I think she played really well. I wasn’t able to kind of get myself out of a certain mode. So, overall, really good week. I am super happy with the run that I’ve had, and, yeah, going to try recover and come back out hot, yeah.
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Q. You took some time to look at the crowd, and you were smiling as you were walking off. What was going through your head?
EALA: No, I was just trying to, I mean, of course I knew it was my last time, the last time that I was going to be out on that court for a while. The atmosphere this whole week has been just incredible. It’s been, it’s hard to describe to other people kind of the feeling of being in that stadium, full of the fans and all the love. So, yeah, I’m super grateful for the experiences that I’ve had here in Toronto. It’s been an amazing debut. Yeah, I’ll carry these memories with me for a really long time.
Q. What did you take away from your first experience in Toronto? What did you learn about the city and the people here?
EALA: I learned that they’re very passionate. They’re very kind. I learned that it’s very multicultural. So it’s a mixing pot of cultures and personalities and passions, I guess. It’s nice to see tennis be a medium for them to come together and kind of celebrate the things they love. I know, of course, for example, the Filipino community, I know the Turkish community came out for Zeynep [Sonmez]. I know, of course, for your hometown heroes, they showed up. So, amazing, really amazing, amazing experience, yeah.
Q. Throughout the week I’m not sure if you were aware, but on the grounds they were selling chicken adobo, lumpia. I know with Nike you have a collaboration, you have the Sampaguita. How important has it been for you, and how much joy do you take in being able to share part of your culture with the rest of the world?
EALA: I think it’s, I mean, you can see, I am kind of just like a drop in the ocean, you know, when it comes to Filipinos and their pride for their culture and where they come from. Me, I do a lot to kind of represent my country, and I’m very proud of it. But you see, I mean, the stadium was full of people who do the same thing, right? I guess that just shows you what kind of a community we are, and what kind of a people we are, and how supportive we are of each other, yeah.
Q. What’s kind of next for you as far as the next few days? I know it’s still early, you just finished your match. But do you relax, take some time off, or is it right back to training, and then getting ready for the next tournament?
EALA: Yeah, I definitely will take maybe two days off, a day or two. I do have to travel to Cincinnati. I need to get a haircut. I haven’t gotten a haircut in a while. My nails are grown out (laughing). So, yeah, I’ll do a couple things, just to get my mind off tennis. I think Toronto’s a great place to do that. Yeah, reunite maybe with some friends in Cincinnati, and just try to have fun. I’ll be back on court (snaps fingers) like that, so I got to enjoy what I have. I got to enjoy the time that I have that I’m not on court.
Q. You’ve played a lot of tennis, a lot of emotional matches recently. How would you describe how you’re feeling physically, mentally right now?
EALA: (Laughing). Yeah, it’s always tough, of course, after a loss. But like I said, I’m looking back at these past two weeks as a really big positive. I think I’ve played really well, I’ve gotten through so many obstacles. Of course, right now there’s that initial just kind of a little tired and down from the match. But, yeah, I think, I mean, I’m healthy, which is something I’m super grateful for. It’s something that’s obviously on the top of my priority all the time. So, yeah I’m counting my blessings. I’m taking the lessons that I’ve had from these two weeks and hopefully implementing them even more in a better way in Cincinnati and New York, yeah.
Q. Can you talk to the importance of your relationship with your coach Joan, and how you guys have just worked so well together?
EALA: Yeah, I think, well, Joan is, of course, my coach, and I think he plays a big part in my development as a player. I trust him a lot. I think we work great as a team along sides my other two coaches from the academy. So, yeah, I think it’s really important to have someone who you know backs you and believes in you. I feel that from him. I feel like we have good energy, good relationship. We’re able to be honest with each other. We’re able to have an open line of communication. I’ve worked with him for a couple of years, so, yeah, I admire him a lot, and grateful to have him on my team.
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