Wreckorder

When Alex Eala bombed out in the first round of the Italian Open, many were quick to dismiss her as overhyped. Could be. But it merely speaks volumes about an expectant nation. It has never seen a Filipino, man or woman, to reach the level she has broken through.

Except for Felicisimo Ampon, the greatest Filipino tennis player in history. In the 1950s, he reached the French Open quarterfinals twice, the third round of Wimbledon thrice and the fourth round of the US Open four times. He may not have won any grand slam title, but not everyone gets to advance in the major league the way he did.

Also dubbed Mighty Mite, the tiny Filipino represented the country in the Tokyo Asian Games where he lost the gold to a compatriot he partnered with for the doubles gold. Standing an inch or two above five feet, he likewise skippered the Philippine team in the prestigious Davis Cup.

But today’s generation does not know about him. They only know Alex Eala, if at all. Unfortunately, she excels at a time of social media, where it is easy for people to say nasty things anytime anywhere except in the face of their target.

Aside from calling her overhyped, others trivialized as fluke her Miami Open semi-final appearance. Could be, within the context of her succeeding WTA 1000 tournaments where she was shown the door early on. But it cancels her years of hard work to be where she is today, number 69 in the world, the highest placement of any Filipina in world tennis.

This Sunday will be another milestone in her career. She enters the first round of the main draw of the French Open, her first in any grand slam event. Neither as a wild card nor a qualifier, but by automatic seeding courtesy of her new ranking. The tall Filipina is shortlisted among the best 128 players in the world, the first level entry for women hungry for grand slam glory.

How to handle the occasion is the crucible. It’s the grand slam. But Alex does not lack for experience, she made her name in the junior slams, both in singles and doubles. How to fight against big names is not a problem either. She knows her way around the top players. She beat three grand slam winners in a row in Miami, including then world number two Iga Swiatek. She is not intimidated.

In the mud slam, she has nothing to lose but everything to earn, learn and unlearn. If she hurdles the first round, Filipinos will demand more in the next, getting hungrier each time she climbs up the ladder. Once she falls, do not expect her countrymen to be her fallback. But expect her to fight back for people who turn their back.