All Quotes

"I’m super happy because that was a tough match. There were moments I didn’t know how to get out of. She’s a very solid player. We both came from qualifying, so it was a huge challenge physically and mentally."

"It’s such a blessing, of course, to have such a big community. So many places feel like home because of that."

"I’d love to see how tennis can grow into a big sport in the Philippines,"

"It’s prepared me to take this in, step by step."

"A lot of new experiences."

"I knew that she was a great player, I knew that she was a big hitter. I had to keep my legs on and take the opportunities that I could find."

"I never saw myself doing anything else that wasn’t tennis. I saw as I grew that I was getting better and better, and I saw that I always had the potential to make it."

"To be there on a scholarship was something that I was not thinking about at all. I knew that this is what I wanted to do, so that was a good step towards becoming a professional."

"I’m the same person that I was two weeks ago. It’s a big step definitely, but I cannot assume that it’s solidified. I just have to keep my head down, keep working, and results will come if I continue on this path."

"I’ve never been in a major tournament this long, so I’m definitely enjoying that. But I’m still hungry, and I’m still motivated."

"If I could tell you, I would have been doing it since I was born. It’s just the feelings on court were there, the confidence and the will and the drive were all there."

"To have a week like this, the stars need to align, and they did for me this week and hopefully I can keep that up."

"It’s my first WTA final. It’s a big deal for me and for my country because it’s historic. It’s the first time any Filipina has done anything like this. I guess that’s also why I’m so emotional."

"There’s so much to be grateful for. And this is just the beginning."

"I don’t think I’ve had the time to process everything that’s happened. So I’m taking it step by step and just focusing on what I need to do next. It’s a big thing to take in, and I’m so super proud of what I was able to accomplish, but it definitely fuels me more. I know and it’s in my mind that I have a next match, but I need to stop, and I need to recognize that what I did today was really amazing."

"To start the year with such a moment like this and sharing the court with two pioneers of the sport, pioneers off the court as well, people I looked up since I was young, I’m so happy to be able to share this moment with you and all of you guys."

"Sometimes, the grass is greener on your own side. See you all on the green next year."

"I couldn’t have asked for a better debut."

"The past year reminded me how powerful love, support, and community can be. Now, I’m excited for what this new year brings — new goals to chase, new memories to create, and more meaningful moments"

"This year is about being braver, dreaming bigger, loving harder, and doing more for the people and passions that matter most"

"Until my heart stops. So close yet so far"

"Moving different means to be brave, to do things in your own way."

"I do what I can and if I see and opening, I think it's important I go for it."

"If there’s one thing I learned in 2025 it’s that home is the people and not the place."

"I’m feeling good. I want to say this is the best I’ve ever played."

"I think I had a good moment, so I hope I can keep the momentum going, keep working hard, and [hopefully] things will align for me in the Australian Open."

"I think this is a good prep for Australia, but competing in this tournament is a highlight itself."

"You know, coming in as a main draw player gives a different vibe, especially with the struggles I had in the past coming here. So, I’m super excited to come here in full force."

"It feels great. I’m super excited. You know, coming in as a main draw player gives a different vibe, especially with the struggles I had in the past coming here. So, I’m super excited to come here in full force."

"It was definitely great for confidence. Getting matches always helps before Slams, so I’m confident with how I’m playing. It doesn’t mean that matches aren’t going to be tough here, so I’m ready for playing here"

"Alam ko, inabangan niyo talaga ‘yung laro ko ngayon at sayang hindi ko nakuha pero tuloy ang laban.(I know, you have waited for my game today and it's a pity i did not win but the fight goes on.)"

"I think me, as a person, I’m very ambitious, and although there was no one from my country who did this before [that] was successful, in tennis, you know, I took inspiration from anyone I could."

"I want the kids at home to see more [of] my attitude and the grit I have on court, more than the results that I get."

"There have been so many role models in my life. Inspiration doesn't always have to come from someone big."

"Young kids in the Philippines, they don't need to take inspiration from me. They can take inspiration from anyone they want. And they can take inspiration from other things, which is what I did growing up."

"It was definitely a big decision for me, for us. But as soon as I heard that, I jumped at the opportunity because I knew I had to get out of the country eventually to improve."

"My family should take credit for the foundation that they laid out before they sent me there. But, of course, the academy was able to build on that foundation in such a way that I'm able to be where I am now"

"I think the combination of everything that I've been through since I started tennis is what has led to this moment and what has led to me having all these opportunities."

"I’ve earned my place in the den-and I like to think I’m a lion in the making."

"My family. It’s just that they’ve been there since day one, and they are really the ones; they’ve been my rock and they’ve been the constant in all this chaos of a tennis career, you know? So, I love them so much and they inspire me every day."

"It was so heart-warming. That's one of the things that makes a loss like today a little bit harder -- I know a lot of people were rooting for me."

"I'm still young, so learning how to deal with all of this attention, but then at the same time being grateful,"

"It's a process to take it all in. I think this week definitely there were elements that were a bit overwhelming, especially during my practices. I didn't expect that many people to be there. So it's a learning process.""

"I guess this is one of the moments that I can reflect on what this means for Philippine tennis. I'm the only Filipina in the draw this year. I'm the only Filipina that's ever been in the draw, I think. So there are positives to take away."

"So much gratitude. I mean, it's so crazy to see this community rallying behind me. And, you know, this support, in the end has led to milestones like this — a home tournament for the Filipinas."

"I think I'm slowly becoming more aware of the gravity that people say I have here. You know, this is my home."

"It's a learning curve for me to figure out… but it's a really good problem to have if you ask me. That means I'm doing well and that I'm making people happy and I'm touching people's lives in a certain way."

"Eala on coming home to her country and getting all the special attention that she says is a new experience."

"These tournaments are such great experiences for me, especially playing in front of the best crowd ever."

"It means a lot, it makes me feel at home even though I’m travelling so many weeks of the year."