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When Janice Tjen pulled off her hard-fought win over Filipina sensation Alexandra Eala in São Paolo, the Indonesian star didn’t just celebrate a victory—she offered a revealing glimpse into what the locker room really thinks about one of the WTA’s most exciting rising players. And let’s just say, Eala’s reputation stretches far beyond her on-court results.
Speaking after the match, Tjen was quick to praise Eala, calling her “one of the toughest competitors out there”. According to Tjen, everyone on tour knows the same truth: Eala may still be young, but she plays—and fights—like a seasoned veteran. “You can never relax against her,” Tjen admitted, describing how the pressure never lets up when you’re across the net from the fiery Filipina. “She chases every ball. Even when you think the point is over, it’s not.”
That relentlessness has become Eala’s calling card. At just 19, she’s already earned a reputation as one of the hardest workers on tour, a player who refuses to give her opponents an easy day. Whether it’s her disciplined baseline game, her remarkable composure, or the way she thrives under pressure, Eala has developed an aura that makes other players prepare differently when they see her name in the draw.
Tjen’s comments shed light on a reality fans don’t always hear: respect in the locker room isn’t handed out—it’s earned. And Eala has earned plenty. Despite the loss in São Paolo, she continues to build a reputation that few teenagers can claim: that of a player feared, respected, and admired all at once.
For Eala, the defeat is just another step in her journey. For Tjen, the win was a career boost. But the bigger story is what Tjen confirmed—what “everybody on tour knows.” Alexandra Eala may not win every match, but she always leaves her mark. And sooner rather than later, that relentless spirit will translate into even bigger titles.
In short, São Paolo didn’t expose Eala’s weaknesses—it underlined her growing legend. Even in defeat, she commands respect. And if her peers are already speaking of her like this, the rest of the tennis world better be ready—because Alexandra Eala isn’t just a rising star anymore. She’s a force.
Musa
Ade