Alex Eala has revealed what would make a “successful” 2026 Cincinnati Open campaign as she looked ahead to her debut at the WTA 1000 event.

World No 20 Eala arrives in Cincinnati after reaching the fourth round at the Canadian Open and winning the Washington Open in a strong start to the North American hard-court season.

The 21-year-old Filipina will play world No 74 Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her opening match in Cincinnati.

Here is everything Eala said at her pre-tournament press conference.

Q. Alex, it’s your first time at the Cincinnati Open. You want to just tell everybody what it feels like your first day or so here?

EALA: Yes, I am super excited to be here in Cincinnati for the first time. Hopefully the weather will get better as time goes by, but I think the facility is amazing. Momentum is a thing, I guess, but it’s not concrete and it doesn’t give you any hundred percent answers, right? So momentum can help. A lot of matches can help with your confidence, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.

Q. Alex, what would you say has been the most surreal moment of the last couple months?

EALA: It’s very difficult to pick. It’s very very difficult to pick. I mean, it would have to be between Wimbledon and and Washington, of course. I think playing on Centre Court and winning in such fashion against a great players, I mean, something I’ll never forget and it was my first win on Centre. So, crazy, crazy experience and, of course, everyone says you’ll never forget your first title. So, it’s like kind of like my two babies if you want to pick.

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Q. If you had to speak on what is sort of the essence or the heart of Filipinos. How would you explain?

EALA: Wow, loaded question. Very loaded question. I think there are a couple words that come to mind, but I mean with that being said, keep in mind that no culture can be summed up in just a couple of words. I think Filipino culture and just every culture in general is very layered and it’s ever evolving… so, when I think of Filipino culture what comes to mind is community, family, hospitality love, kindness. So, just a couple words. Those are good words. Yeah.

Q. Are you familiar or do you know anything about what the Filipino presence and culture is like in the Midwest here in the US at all?

EALA: This is my first time. Well, I’m not sure what encompasses the Midwest, but I guess that’s the great thing about traveling being such a big part of my job is that I’m always learning new things and I’m always learning and meeting new people. So, I get to learn about their culture and different things like that.

Q. Do you have a favourite place that you’ve seen in the Cincinnati area aside from the tennis centre?

EALA: It’s really the only place I’ve been at. So, maybe if you ask me at the end of the week, I’ll have an answer for you.

Q. There’s not as many people who get to see how it looks like in the Philippines, what your impact looks like there. And you visited there a month ago or something like that. Can you talk about what that experience was like? What did you see?

EALA: It was incredible. I think because I’m always traveling and I’m on tour, I’m quite out of touch sometimes with what my impact is back home. For the good and the bad. I think that’s why I said like a couple of times that when I went back home, it really opened my eyes. I think it’s, of course I hear about it, I see it in social media, but I think to experience it first-hand and to interact with the people who support me, and I’ve heard a couple sentences from them, is enough to see a glimpse into their stories or how tennis has impacted their lives or how being Filipino and their pride has affected them personally. So, I think it’s crazy how inspiration can affect other people to what depths. And that’s one thing that I’ve learned and I’ve realised going back home. Yeah.

Q. I’m sure you grew up knowing what [Manny] Pacquiao meant to the Philippines. Hearing kind of that comparison, is there pressure?

EALA: Pacquiao is such a sporting legend for us Filipinos now and he’s done a lot for us athletes I think to pave the way. I mean, it never really crossed my mind when I was watching his fights back home that one day I would be compared to him. No. And I think the feeling that Pacquiao gave the Filipinos was great to have someone to rally over, and when he would have fights, everyone was so excited and it was just a chance for people to come together. And I guess my journey has similar things or can give similar things like that. So, I mean, it’s very flattering to be to be compared to him. But at the same time, I think they are also two unique journeys. They’re two very different journeys. So, one I don’t think one takes away from the other. I think I’m still very, very far from the levels of Pacquiao. But I think they’re beautiful, they both have their own beautiful set of characteristics. Yeah.

Q. Do you believe in momentum? Is that something that you’ve bought into throughout your playing career, or your stance on that word in general?

EALA: I mean, momentum exists. Momentum is a thing I guess, but it’s not concrete and it doesn’t give you any 100% answers, right? So, momentum can help, a lot of matches can help, with your confidence, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.

Q. What would make a successful week here, in your mind?

EALA: I think it’s just the level that I play. And of course, the more matches, the merrier, right? But it’s the matches of substance and it’s the ones that… did I execute what I want to execute? Did I bring the level that I wanted to bring? So, if I lose first round, but it’s a really good match, not to say that it’s a successful week, but it wasn’t a bad one. And if I reach the final, then I’ll take that too (laughs).

Q. What kind of preparation goes into playing at a site in a city that you’ve never even visited before?

EALA: I kind of go with the flow. Yeah. I think at the end of the day, it’s the same lines, the same size ball. So, I guess, of course each city brings, and the crowds especially, bring different energy, I think, but when you’re on court and you know what you have to do, nothing changes much.

Q. You’re so young and so new to this still, but this spotlight that’s been thrust upon you, just talk about the weight of it, is it heavy for you, or is it just fun at this point?

EALA: I think it can be both, no? There are moments where it’s heavy. There are moments where it’s fun. But at the end of the day, I am also aware that it’s a crazy experience, so I’m just trying to take it all in. I know also that I wouldn’t be having these experiences if I didn’t do all the work that I did beforehand. So, I know that I won’t continue to experience it if I don’t continue that work. But yeah, I think it’s really helped me develop as a person and just see things from a different perspective. It’s allowed me to mature a lot. And yeah, it’s taught me a lot of lessons, but also given me so much joy.

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