So near yet so far

Alex Eala showed what she can do in the Miami Open qualifiers. In the opening round, the tennis prodigy upset Sara Errani, former world number five and French Open finalist. In straight sets. Although the Italian is now currently ranked 100th, her experience and credentials would have intimidated the Filipino teenager. But it did not matter. The Filipino prodigy quickly dispatched the veteran twice her age. Easy to say Errani is old, but Novak Djokovic beats easy men half his age. Of course it is Djokovic, Alex can never be like him. But in sports, age does not matter. Sometimes. Nerves do. All the time.

Eala showed no nerves, she instead improved her serves, minimized double faults and maximized first serves with four aces. She maintained the momentum in the next round against Colombian Emiliana Arango by taking the first set, 6-2. Almost hers. She led in the second set at 5-3 but was betrayed by her own body, suddenly dropped to the ground in pain. Muscle cramps. The 121st-ranked Colombian pounced on the opportunity, took the second set and never looked back.

If not for her left leg that left her with a few points left, Alex would have qualified to the main draw of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. Would have, could have, should have. But it did not happen. That s tennis, you re as good as your last point. The next is entirely new, unknown but knowable. Even champions fail to convert match points. It happened to two Swiss greats. Roger Federer bungled two match points against Djokovic and lost the 2019 Wimbledon final. Martina Hingis failed to convert four match points and lost in tears to Jennifer Capriati in the 2002 Australian Open final.

It hurts bad. But now Alex is rewarded with a higher rank, 171st in the world. But rank, like age, is just a number. Eala beat the 100th only to fall to the 121st. Numbers can be deceiving, statistics can be misleading. Paper tiger. They are mere credentials before the match, not the essentials to win the game. Of course it gives confidence, provided it does not exceed ability. Otherwise, its just cocky.

Alex is definitely not. The Filipina may have an inconsistent game, but she has been consistent in the deportment department. Determined, humble, willing to learn, and willing to wait. For her time to shine. Along with pole vault phenom EJ Obiena, she has been the brightest beacon of hope for world sports dominance to a nation of basketball. It is just a matter of time for Alex to finally breakthrough to the never before. Clich, but success does not happen overnight. Just like change, which is not forthcoming to a people who never learn.