Kim Clijsters Warns About the Pressure Alexandra Eala Deals With: “Like Michael Jordan In The Philippines”
Alexandra Eala earned a career-high ranking of World No.31 after reaching the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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Alexandra Eala and Kim Clijsters (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters has warned that Alexandra Eala needs to be protected, as she describes the WTA star as being the Michael Jordan of the Philippines. The 20-year-old had a breakout season last year at the Miami Open, reaching the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament.
Eala has risen to superstar status in the Philippines after her rapid rise and trailblazing tennis achievement for her home nation in the past year on tour. Her presence in tournaments has always attracted Philippine supporters to the stadium to support her and it was noticeable at the Australian Open and the Middle East swing.
Last year, she became the first player in her country’s history to be ranked in the top 100, to beat a top-five player in a tour-level tournament. She reached her maiden WTA final last year at the Eastbourne Open and won a WTA Challenge Series title before claiming her first match win in a Grand Slam main draw.
The 20-year-old earned her career-high ranking of World No.31 last week after reaching the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships before losing to Coco Gauff and then in Abu Dhabi. She received enormous support at the tournaments, which got the attention of Gauff, who was surprised.
The World No. 32’s immense popularity has continued to grow as she continues her growth on the court. On the latest episode of her Love All podcast, Clijsters spoke about the challenges that come with Eala’s immense popularity. She added that the 20-year-old needs to focus on her game rather than fame:
She’s been around people with a mindset that demands a lot but is also very focused on: you have to put in the work, you are respectful. And she’s been around that environment, and I think there’s no coincidence that she has the results that she has. But I think it’s very important for her to be a little bit protected from the craziness that comes with that all as well. And just the ability to keep focusing on what she has to do. [She has to] deal with this life of being like Michael Jordan in the Philippines.
The Filipino star defeated Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek at the Miami Open. She reached the semi-finals before losing to Jessica Pegula. She also reached the runner-up spot at the Eastbourne Open and advanced to the semi-finals at the Canberra Tennis International and the Jingshan Tennis Open.
Alexandra Eala compared to Taylor Swift’s popularity status
Alexandra Eala will be back on the court for the Sunshine Doubles, which kicks off with the Indian Wells Open on March 4. The Filipino star didn’t compete at the tournament last year, which gives her a chance to gain ranking points and climb into the top 30 of the WTA rankings as she will have more than 500 points to defend in Miami.
At Indian Wells, there are expectations that she will receive tremendous support from fans at the stadium. During an Interview with Tennis365, Gigi Salmon compared her status to that of celebrity artist Taylor Swift. Salmon added that Eala has become a superstar and fears it can become a burden:
In Dubai, it was a like a pop concert. It was like a Taylor Swift was playing. People were screaming and maybe that can become a burden at some point, but I like the fact that at the moment, she just seems to be flourishing. She thanked them all and she’s a superstar. I just think she’s got everything.
Eala’s supporters on tour have sometimes been termed arrogant and annoying. At the Australian Open, Eala’s supporters frustrated Alycia Parks in the first set, but the American bounced back in the second set and went on to win the match.
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