By: Romeo Braceros Jr.

This year, Alex Eala's primary goal is to play in more Women's Tennis Association matches.

Eala said in a televised interview that she wants to participate in more professional matches and become more accustomed to competing on the WTA Tour.

Eala just participated in her maiden Grand Slam in the women's singles event at the 2023 Australian Open, although she was eliminated in the opening round after losing to Misaki Doi on Monday in Melbourne Park by scores of 6-3, 6-7, and 3-6.

The WTA 250 Thailand Open, which will take place from January 30 through February 5 in Hua Hin, Thailand, will be the 17-year-old netter's first WTA competition of the year.

Eala said that it would depend on her schedule on the professional tour as to whether she would be available for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh in May.

Eala's coach at the Rafael Nadal Academy, Daniel Gomez, noted that he wants to see the tennis prodigy from the Philippines play more aggressively and move quickly.

Gomez encourages the player ranked 214 to take her time becoming the best, even though she has made significant progress.