"If I had no security, let's say it's uncharted waters": Alexandra Eala notices increasing difficulties in returning home to Philippines

Alexandra Eala will play in the Quarter-Finals of the DC Open in Washington and she sat down with Ben Rothenberg for Bounces to speak about not playing with Venus Williams in doubles again as well as her heritage and going home to the Phillipines.

Eala said that going home to the Philippines becomes increasingly difficult as well as discussing not deviating from her roots including her family and also her accent. She decided not to play doubles with Venus Williams with Diana Shnaider with her instead and she admitted it was difficult.

"It was a difficult decision for me, of course. Playing doubles with Venus is an amazing opportunity—for everybody, you know? I mean it’s amazing; who wouldn’t want to play with Venus? But I mean, it’s exactly what I said the other day: Venus and especially knowing and having had a glimpse of the mentality she has, you really have to match it," she said as per Bounces.

"And just me as a person, if I play doubles, I want to be able to give it my all and be able to leave everything out on court and I don’t think I would have been able to do that. And they are still going strong!"

She was asked about continuing to use her authentic Filipino accent and she hasn't deviated from that which in the view of some has made her even more appealing. "I mean, it’s not something I’m really, I mean it’s just how I talk! I don’t know. I don’t know. I would say, though, that I think my accent was a lot stronger when I first moved out of the Philippines. But I don’t think it will ever really be, like, American, or fully American. It’s definitely never going be, like, British or Australian, that’s just a whole ‘nother thing. But yeah, I definitely hear it. I definitely hear the Filipino. I think the accent is one thing, and also the humor is another very relatable thing."

But also going back home was a different feeling as Eala said that she couldn't particularly do anything that she previously did as she had to have heavy security presence.

"It’s weird. On one hand, I didn’t have time to really just go out and do anything. But I feel like if I did, it would be a very different experience than what I had growing up."

"I don’t think it was doable. And it was a nice experience; it was a nice week, but also it was a lot. So if I did that—just went out with a friend, if I had no security or something—let’s say it’s uncharted waters for me. But yeah, it’s eye-opening every time I come back, because it kind of gets into a bigger and bigger scale. Which is a really good thing. It’s a good problem to have. But I’m still, you know, finding my relationship with that."

With conjecture regarding Eala's background, she said that she is glad to have parents who didn't have to worry about money but also that she still had to work hard to have what she had. "Well, for one, my parents worked super, super hard for what they have. And I can tell you that my parents are two of the most hard-working people I know, right? And if I get my work ethic from anyone, it’s from them.

"I mean, I grew up comfortably, which, I’m thankful to my parents for that. Thanks, mom and dad! I mean, of course, the journey would have been easier for me as compared to someone, let’s say, who’s in poverty. Of course, if you’re financially struggling, in general, in life, if you are financially struggling, it’s going to be more difficult for you than if you were financially stable or financially covered.

"But that definitely does not take away from the fact that I worked hard, or it does not take away from the obstacles that I’ve had to face. And at the end of the day, the ball doesn’t know who your parents are. The ball doesn’t know how much money you have, right?"