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| Alex Eala played through an injured right leg the rest of the way against Alina Charaeva. Cesca Rampas |
MANILA—An injury scare nearly marred Alex Eala's first professional tennis match at home during her Philippine Women's Open Round 1 tiff against Alina Charaeva on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Right after getting the break point back from Charaeva after she broke her serve in Game 2 in Set 2, Eala used the mandatory timeout to get back to her dugout and treat something in her body.
When she returned from what eventually became a medical timeout, Eala already had a bandage on her upper right leg, implying that she felt within that part.
"There was a bit of discomfort," Eala said after the match.
"(The pain) depends on the movement and the moment, but I want to see how I wake up tomorrow (Tuesday) and reassess that."
However, she allayed worries about the said injury, saying, "Nothing serious. I have a day off to see how it goes. I'll just get it relaxed and wake up tomorrow to see how it feels."
Upon returning from the medical timeout, Eala won five straight games in Set 2 to overturn a 0-2 deficit and seal the straight-set win against Charaeva to the delight of the sold-out crowd.
"Physical pain is definitely a part of an athlete's lifestyle and job, so we have to find ways to best manage that and not let it affect us until the end. Kabisado ko na ang katawan ko," Eala further said.
Tuesday happens to be a day off for Eala and may be in spectator mode as she awaits the winner of an all-Japanese clash between Nao Hibino and Himeno Sakatsume.
Regardless of who she faces, Eala will devote her Tuesday to preparing like an athlete despite the injury.
"I'm gonna train, recover, and be ready for the next round," she further said.
Eala's next match is scheduled on Wednesday, and just like Monday, it could be a primetime clash to cater yet another sold-out crowd.
