Alex Eala: Visa woes of rising tennis star highlight challenges for Filipino athletes

Manila: Philippine tennis sensation Alex Eala, a rising star from the Rafa Nadal Academy, has recently opened up about the emotional and logistical hurdles she faces due to visa restrictions associated with her Philippine passport.

This revelation highlights the unique challenges faced by Filipino athletes competing on the international stage.

Eala has been making significant strides in her professional career.

Visa challenges

The 19-year-old tennis prodigy took the tennis world by storm after she defeated some of the top players during her Miami tour.

She highlighted the difficulty of maintaining a flexible schedule, a crucial aspect of professional tennis, when visa applications constantly loom.

"It takes so much time. For me, I find challenging the visas, being able to plan," she said.

Limited freedom

She cited the visa challenges posed by her being a Filipina tennis player: the time handicap she faces to organise her trips, to have visas ready every single time.  

The reality is that the Philippine passport's relatively limited travel freedom, as indicated by the Henley Passport Index, creates significant obstacles for athletes like Alex.

This situation forces them to dedicate valuable time and energy to visa applications, potentially detracting from their training and performance.

Despite these challenges, Eala remains deeply connected to her Filipino roots.

She expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support she receives from her fellow countrymen, particularly during her recent successful run at the Miami Open.

"The best thing about being a Filipino athlete, of course, is the support and the Pinoys. Because you cannot find that kind of community anywhere else, in my opinion," Eala stated. "The love and the support, you know, this past month [in Miami] is a testament to that.”  

She shared her excitement after receiving a text from tennis great Rafael Nadal. 

“Rafa messaged me. It was the first time he ever messaged me personally, so that was a shock to see. Funny story, I only saw it a couple of days later. It was exciting to see his notification,” she was quoted as saying by Power and Play.

Eala's experience sheds light on a broader issue faced by many Filipino athletes who aspire to compete internationally.

While they may possess the talent and dedication to excel, they often encounter logistical barriers that can hinder their progress.

As Eala continues her journey, she not only carries the hopes of a nation but also highlights the need for greater awareness and potential solutions to ease the travel burdens faced by Filipino athletes.