Alex Eala shares intriguing insight into life outside of tennis as US Open dream awaits

Alex Eala has offered an intriguing insight into what her life looks like outside of tennis ahead of her US Open clash against Mary Stoiana.

Eala is enjoying an incredible breakout year on the WTA Tour, making history earlier this month by winning her first title at the Washington Open.

The 21-year-old secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula in the final, continuing her excellent record against a top-10 player while skyrocketing her popularity in the sport.

The Filipina followed that up with a round-of-16 exit in Toronto to Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic, then a round-of-32 exit to Amana Anisimova in Cincinnati — both WTA 1000 events.

All eyes have since been on her performance at the US Open, beginning the tournament disappointingly with an immediate exit in the Mixed Doubles with Canadian talent Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Eala is hoping for improved fortunes in the singles, where she faces a tough test against Mary Stoiana, as she bids to win her first Grand Slam.

And ahead of her showdown with the American, the youngster has been discussing a whirlwind 12 months, including her relationship with Nike after debuting her personalised shoes at the ‘Stars of the Open’ exhibition event in the States on Thursday, made to celebrate her victory in Washington.

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“Yeah, I walked out yesterday in a gift from Nike that I received,” Eala told reporters. “It’s a shoe to celebrate my first title in Washington, and it was so personalised and had all these super sick details."

The Filipina superstar also revealed what she enjoys doing outside of tennis, offering an intriguing insight into her hobbies and how she's exploring the city of New York.

"I am definitely a restaurant person and a shopping person. So those are my two. Or maybe like cafes, bakeries. I love that. I am such a foodie. Maybe it’s the Filipino in me," Eala said.

"But yeah, I have even here in New York, like some spots that I go to every year. I have not tried the Filipino food here. I hear a lot of the spots are here in Queens, and it’s quite far from where I’m staying.

"It’s very difficult because I try to stick to kind of what’s close by, what’s easy, accessible."

Alex Eala speaks about how her belief has grown this year

For any youngster in the sport, self-belief is arguably the most important attribute anyone can have.

Eala certainly boasts that in abundance, as well as the confidence and swagger to go with her positive demeanour.

When asked about how her belief has grown this year, the WTA No. 18 replied: "I think I have a pretty strong baseline of belief in myself. And of course, it can all, it’s very normal that it fluctuates.

"There are moments where it’s more difficult to believe in yourself. And there are moments where it’s much easier. But I think my baseline has remained quite steady, and maybe on an incline, but a very, very, very slow incline.

"I think that’s what’s important is to have that foundation of, I know what I can do, I’m strong, who I am as a person, what my character is.

"And then of course, the results may vary, depending on the time of the year and how you’re doing at the moment."