There are big shoes to fill if you want to be the country’s next big hope. But this 17-year-old eases into the role with a smile, leaving a lot of room for growth. This is my first cover story for @voguephilippines. Always happy to be writing about the sport I love. [Link in bio] —— After her historic win at the US Open girls final, #AlexEala asked if she could speak to the crowd in Tagalog. “I think it’s nice na may representation yung Pilipinas sa world tennis stage,” she says of the speech that went viral. “I think yung importante sa akin na makaka-relate sila. And whether that’s through a language or whether that’s through hitsura, whatever, pagkain, I think a big part of representation is makaka-relate sila. And that was just a little way that I can give back to them for all the support they have been giving me.” Clearly representation matters, in whatever way or form, for the Filipino champion competing on the world’s stage. Read more about Alex Eala, US Open 2022 Junior Champion, in Vogue Philippines’ November 2022 issue, available now. Get your copy now by clicking on the link in bio. @alex.eala wears a @fumitoganryu sweater and @jw_anderson dress, photographed by @edgarberg, fashion director @pamquinones, styled by @blakesamson, sittings editor @audreycarpio, hair and makeup by @xiscacovas_makeup, produced by @anzhizon Vogue Philippines, November 2022. Special thanks to @rafanadalacademy