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SPORT BANTER | Panayam kay veteran sports broadcaster Noli Eala tungkol sa impresibong performance ni Alex Eala sa Miami Open.   For more news, visit:  ►https://www.ptvnews.ph/   Subscribe to our DailyMotion Channel:  ►http://www.dailymotion.com/peoples-television-incorporated   Subscribe to our YouTube channel:  ►http://www.youtube.com/ptvphilippines   Like our Facebook pages:  ►PTV: http://facebook.com/PTVph  ►Rise and Shine Pilipinas: https://www.facebook.com/riseandshinepilipinas   Follow us on Twitter:  ►http://twitter.com/PTVph   Follow us on Instagram:  ►https://www.instagram.com/ptvph   Watch our livestream on:  ►http://ptvnews.ph/livestream/  ►https://www.dailymotion.com/PTVPhilippines   Watch our News Programs, every Mondays to Fridays   Rise and Shine Pilipinas - 6:00 - 7:00 am | 7:30 - 8:00 am  Balitang Pambansa - 7:00 - 7:30 am | 12:00 - 12:30 pm |  6:00 - 6:30pm | 9:30 - 10:00 pm  PTV Sports - 8:00 - 9:00 am  Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon - 12:30 - 1:00 pm  Sentro Balita - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm  Ulat Bayan - 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm  PTV News Tonight -  10:00 pm - 10:30 pm   Saturday & Sunday:  ►Sentro Balita Weekend - 1:30 - 2:00 pm  ►Ulat Bayan Weekend - 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcript

00:00PTV Sports is back and today we'll be talking to former PSE Chief Noel Ayala

00:06to talk about Alex's performance in the 2025 Miami Open.

00:12Good morning, Sir Noel.

00:16Good morning to all of you and to all of our listeners.

00:22Sir Noel, definitely we will talk about Alex Ayala's remarkable feat in the 2025 Miami Open.

00:30Did you expect that at the very young age of 19, Alex will be a part of the top tennis tournaments like the Miami Open?

00:42Well, certainly this was not expected this quickly

00:47because first of all, the Miami Open is one of the most prestigious and most difficult, toughest tournaments outside of the Grand Slam tournaments.

00:56That's why the players here are practically the top 10 players in the world.

01:02And Alex, being out of the top 100, had to play for a wild card entry

01:08and his performance to get past the three Grand Slam winners, including the latest one earlier this morning against IGA, Zyantek,

01:19is truly remarkable and brilliant. His performance is very good.

01:23That's why even though we didn't expect it, we all pray that he will reach that level

01:29because we know that he worked hard and he really deserves it to win his biggest tournament so far in his career.

01:41Sir Dolly, did you follow Alex Ayala's career in the world of tennis?

01:46How did she evolve, especially now that she has turned pro?

01:52Well, she really started very young because her maternal grandparent, her grandfather, was a ravid tennis player.

02:03He became her first coach and really introduced her to the sport.

02:08That's why when she was young, they saw the potential and she started playing really well, even in the age group here in the Philippines.

02:17And before we knew it, she was really winning and even the older players were losing to her.

02:28So the parents of Alex, Mike and Risa, decided to enroll her in the Rafa Nadal Academy when she was about 13 or 14.

02:39She was a scholar in the Rafa Nadal Academy and ever since, she has been training under their wing, their tutelage,

02:47and her coaches are really good. She also got good exposures in competitions abroad.

02:54And that's why when she graduated, she decided to become a pro.

03:00And here she is. I think all of this is the result of exposure to higher level competition.

03:06At the same time, it's also exposure to very, very good training facilities and excellent coaches.

03:15And of course, the support of her family has been immeasurable.

03:21That's why I think at this point, Alex is really peaking at the right time in her career.

03:28Sir Lolly, you mentioned earlier that her opponents here in the 2025 Miami Open are very strong.

03:35There's Iga Shantek, Madison Keys, we also have Elena Ostapenko.

03:43What was your reaction when Alex Ayala defeated these strong opponents?

03:51It's surprising, to be honest.

03:54Of course, in our family, we've always known her talent, we've always recognized her development.

04:01But still, her level is still different. First of all, she's older.

04:06So she has more experience.

04:08Second, this was Alex's first big tournament where she really made it to the main draw.

04:16So this stage is really, really something that's new for her.

04:20And yet, her composure, her game planning, her focus, and her grit and determination can be seen in her games.

04:30But most of all, I think her development as a tennis player.

04:34Her forehands are good, her ground strokes have been crisp and very powerful.

04:41Her service has improved, although she can still improve, but certainly it has become more efficient.

04:48And of course, her return of serve has been brilliant.

04:51So really, Alex's development has been sort of sensational.

04:57Particularly in this tournament, I think she showed that she can compete with the best players.

05:03And this will really be a great sign for her moving forward in her career.

05:07Because let's remember, Alex is only 19 years old.

05:11Her opponents are 23, 28 years old.

05:14She's been through a lot.

05:16So you can imagine that in 2-3 years, how good she can be.

05:20And I think she's already shown that she can compete with the best players in the world.

05:27Agreed, Sir Dolly. Alex's career is very promising.

05:30But we noticed that after beating Key in the third round, the first thing Iyala mentioned was her parents.

05:37Have you talked to her parents?

05:39And what was their reaction towards this incredible feat?

05:44Oh yes, every time before and after the match, we talk to her father, Mike.

05:50I'm quite close to Mike, my first cousin.

05:54And we almost grew up together.

05:58So we really know each other.

06:02I talked to Mike after the match.

06:05And of course, they're very, very proud.

06:07They just got to Miami in the first part of the tournament.

06:11They're in Spain, where they are based.

06:14They weren't supposed to go there.

06:16But when they won against Madison Keys, they immediately bought a ticket and flew to Miami.

06:26So they're a very, very close family.

06:30Much of the strength of Alex comes from her closeness with her dad and her mom and her brother, Niko,

06:36who is also a product of Tennis University of Pennsylvania.

06:40And all of them, even the uncle, Mike's brother, my cousin, Niki, who is from Portland,

06:48is also in Miami to support.

06:52So our family has been very, very supportive of her, hoping that she really does well.

07:00And I think that's really where she draws her strength, from her parents and family.

07:05And again, it shows how Filipino Alex is, her faith and her family belief.

07:15She always says, I'm very grounded.

07:18That's how her parents want to raise her.

07:23That's why we can see that even in victory, she's very humble.

07:27She's always very thankful and grateful.

07:32And hopefully, she will be an inspiration to many of our athletes and youth here in our country.

07:39Sir Noly, you also mentioned earlier that Alex Ayala's training at Rafa Nadal Academy was a big deal.

07:46With that, do you think it is very important, especially for our future tennis players, to also train abroad?

07:57Yes, yes. I've always believed in that, even when I was in the Philippine Sports Commission.

08:03I think training abroad is a big deal.

08:07Not because we're belittling our coaches here in the Philippines.

08:11Our coaches are good.

08:13But the exposure is still different.

08:15Not only in the new ways of training, but also in the competitions.

08:21And also in technology.

08:24And of course, the weather conditions, nutrition, everything.

08:30Plus, when you go abroad, you lose your comfort zone.

08:35And you learn to be self-reliant, independent.

08:39And of course, you become stronger.

08:44Because you are able to go abroad.

08:47Just like our fellow Filipinos, OSW.

08:49So it's really important.

08:51And we've seen that, EJ Obiena is one example.

08:55Caloy Yulo is a terrific example, along with Heidi Lindillas.

09:00So I think we've already seen the formula, the template on how an athlete should improve.

09:06And I hope that our elite athletes will have the opportunity to train abroad.

09:12Just like our elite athletes now, who are giving glory to our country.

09:19Sir Dolly, after this major title, what should we expect from Alex Ayala?

09:25Will his Momentus win continue?

09:30Will there be a grand slam title?

09:31I don't think anything will change if Alex continues to give everything he has.

09:36I think at this point, Alex is really ready.

09:41And the challenges will be even more difficult for him.

09:47Especially since he has already reached this level.

09:51His next opponent in the semifinals could be Emma Raducano or the American, Teluga.

09:57And then after that, if he can beat her, he could be the number one in the world, Sabalenka.

10:03So his level of competition won't go down.

10:08And I think moving forward, even throughout this season, I'm sure this will give her confidence to play harder.

10:15And you can be assured that Alex will always fight for the country and will always play a good match.

10:23She will always give it her all, no matter what.

10:26And I hope that he will be able to win.

10:31Tomorrow is Alex's match in the semifinals at 8 in the morning.

10:35It's just right for us Filipinos that we are all awake.

10:40I hope that we can watch and pray for our countryman to win.

10:46Or if not, to give a good showing in his next matches.

10:52Full support to our countryman in his next matches.

10:56But lastly, do you have a message, shoutouts, or anything you want to say in support of Alex Ayala?

11:04Well, Alex already knows because we talk a lot.

11:07But again, I've always told her that just one step at a time.

11:13Just always look forward.

11:15We can't do anything in the past.

11:18We will learn from the past.

11:20Just look forward and always stay grounded.

11:23I think that is the most important part of any athlete.

11:26You need to know how to look back at your past.

11:31You can't forget the people who helped you.

11:33And continue to do what you can.

11:37Believe in God and of course, believe in the support of your family and everyone who supports you.

11:46With that, thank you very much, Sir Noeli.

11:49And for joining our interview this morning.

11:53Thank you very much.

11:55Thank you very much.

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