Eala feels the Filipino support at the Italian Open and makes a discovery at the Vatican

“Yes, I did notice it,” Eala said of the Filipino support in Rome.

The 20-year-old Eala has become a worldwide sensation among the large Filipino diaspora ever since her breakthrough run to the Miami Open semifinals last year. Her fan base expanded again when she beat Clara Tauson in a long third-set tiebreaker in the first round at the U.S. Open last year for her first win in a major.

She attracted more attention at this year’s Australian Open — the closest Grand Slam to the Philippines.

Eala also noticed Filipino flags hanging outside a building on her way to visit the Vatican this week.

“I was like, ‘OK, we really are everywhere.’ And then I later learned that that’s the embassy of the Philippines to the Vatican,” she said. “And funny story: My great grandmother, she used to work there way back when. So it was full circle or something sentimental.”

Nadal's academy

While Eala prefers faster surfaces, she has plenty of access to clay courts at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain where she's based.

“I have a great team, very knowledgeable, and they are definitely guiding me and navigating me through this phase of the tour,” Eala said. “I trust in them a lot.

“What I’ve been trying to do is just be very patient and kind of try to enjoy being in that mode or that kind of mindset of being physically pushed and trying to stay in that suffering kind of zone."

Wimbledon is her favorite

While Eala is preparing for the French Open, her favorite Grand Slam remains Wimbledon.

“Growing up, Wimbledon was always the Grand Slam for me because I loved the tradition and seeing it from afar was very beautiful,” Eala said. “I saw everyone was in all white, the grass was so green, everything very elegant. So I carry that opinion until now.”

Eala has played in the main draw of the last four Grand Slams. So Roland Garros will mark her second time around in that category. She’s ranked No. 42.

“I haven’t been past a second round in a Grand Slam,” she said, “so that would be nice.”

Spanish language skills

Being based in Spain — the Nadal academy is in Manacor on the Balearic Islands — has helped Eala learn a third language after Filipino and English. During the recent Madrid Open she was able to do interviews in Spanish.

“To be able to get out of my shell and really break that barrier of being embarrassed was a great step for me," she said. “Having a third language is really a great skill and it’s very useful so I’m quite proud of myself.”

Home tournament in Manila

Eala’s emergence helped the Philippines host a WTA 125-level tournament in January. Amid huge attention, she reached the quarterfinals.

“Every time I go home I’m able to experience Manila in a different light because thankfully I’ve been getting better and better,” Eala said. “Home will always be home and I love going back there.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis