Tennielle Madis may have seen her Asian Games singles campaign come to an end, but the young Filipina is leaving the competition with a bigger source of motivation watching, learning from and competing alongside the player she calls her idol, Alex Eala.
Madis bowed out of the women’s singles event against Japan, but her Asian Games campaign is far from over as she shifts her focus to doubles, where she gets another opportunity to represent the Philippines.
“Doubles match tomorrow, and we’ll do our best po with my partner,” said Madis.
For the young Filipina, the experience in Nagoya has been about more than simply the results. Playing on the Asian Games stage and seeing Filipino supporters in the stands have given her added appreciation for the opportunity.
But alongside the competition has been the chance to share the court and training environment with Eala, the Philippines’ leading women’s tennis player.
Madis considers Eala more than just a teammate. She considers her an inspiration.
“Sobra po. Sobra idol ko po si Ate Alex,” said Madis.
What makes Eala’s impact even more meaningful to Madis is the way she interacts with the younger members of the national team away from competition.
“Dami rin po niyang advice sa amin. And sobrang kind po talaga ni Ate Alex, and idol talaga namin on and off the court,” she said.
Madis said Eala’s example has encouraged her to raise her own standards and continue developing as an athlete.
“She really inspires us to be better athletes talaga, to strive more as athletes,” Madis continued.
That influence is particularly significant as Madis builds her own career in Philippine tennis. The Asian Games gives her an opportunity to compete alongside athletes she has looked up to while gaining experience that she can carry into future tournaments.
She also credited the unity within the Philippine women’s tennis team, with Eala, Shaira Rivera and Steffi Carranceja continuing to support one another throughout the campaign.
For Madis, the singles exit is therefore not the end of her Asian Games story.
She returns to competition in doubles with another chance to learn, compete and contribute for Team Philippines.
And with an idol like Eala setting the standard beside her, Madis is taking more than just memories from Nagoya; she is taking inspiration for the career ahead. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
