Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA -- Alex Eala's childhood coach credited the Filipina teenager's fighting heart and mental toughness for the success that she has achieved in the 2025 Miami Open.

Eala made it all the way to the semifinals of the WTA1000 tournament, defeating a slew of higher-seeded players along the way including world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.

In an interview on ANC before Eala took on world No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the semifinals on Friday, tennis coach Ronard "Toto" Joven shared how the young star had progressed throughout their journey together.

READ: Dream run ends for Alex Eala with loss to Pegula in Miami Open semis

"Kapag nagte-training kami, iba talaga si Alex lalo na 'yung winning attitude nya, 'yung determination niya, 'yung commitment niya sa loob ng court," he said. "At the age na ganyan parang hindi siya bata eh, sobrang matured niya na mag-isip."

"Kasi alam mo 'yon, sa loob mismo, 'yung attitude niya, parang kapag nagkakamali siya, hindi siya hihinto hangga't hindi niya nakukuha," he explained.

For Joven, Eala is already among the greatest tennis players in the history of the Philippines, proven by her wins over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and Swiatek.

"It's only a matter of time na magkaka-breakthrough si Alex," he added.

"Hanggang ngayon naa-adapt niya pa rin 'yung fighting spirit niya. Dati, niyayabangan ko 'yan 'matatalo ka sa akin,' ganyan. Minsan nacha-challenge siya, hindi niya 'yon tine-take as negative, tine-take niya as positive. [Sinasabi niya] 'Isa pa, isa pa'. Hanggang ngayon nadadala niya pa rin 'yung tibay ng loob, ganun 'yung mental toughness ni Alex, kakaiba," he said.

Eala showed the fighting spirit that her childhood coach is so proud of even in a loss to Pegula in the semis.

After losing grip of a 5-2 lead in Set 1 and dropping the opener, Eala battled back in the second and forced a deciding frame, where she again pushed Pegula to the limit before the American eventually claimed a 7-6 (7/3), 5-7, 6-3 triumph.

With her remarkable performance, Eala has risen to No. 75 in the WTA rankings after entering the tournament at 140th. 

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