Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has been on an historic run this year as she had some impressive campaigns and even some prominent debuts in Grand Slam tournaments.

In the Miami Open last March, Eala reached the semifinals, dispatching several Grand Slam champions in Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko and Iga Swiatek, on her way there.

Meanwhile, in the Eastbourne Open last June, she made her first-ever finals appearance in a WTA tournament.

She also made her main draw debuts in Grand Slam tournaments, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and is set to enter the US Open as well.

But what did Eala improve on to achieve better results this year?

“I think I’ve been working on a lot of aspects of my game individually and this year, talagang nag-click.”

“For one example, was my fitness. Mas fit ako ngayon, mas tumatagal ako sa court, and I’m able to maintain the level for a longer period of time. That’s why sometimes I can hang out with these top players,” she said in a meet and greet event last July 18.

“And the movement, also part of that, my forehand [serve]. So, everything, little adjustments in everything and this year, medyo nag-click.”

Eala also said she learned a lot for herself this year as she went against higher-ranked players.

“I learned my takes, I learned what keeps me going, I learned how to manage my nerves, and I learned to be brave and channel the boss, like try to be the boss of me,” she said.

With her spectacular campaigns this year, Eala reached her career-high ranking of No. 56 last June 30.

As of writing, Eala is ranked No. 69 by the WTA.

Eala is expected to compete in tournaments in Canada and Mexico before heading to the US Open.

She will then take her games to Asia in the latter part of the year. (GMA Integrated News)