'I'm still young and learning to deal with attention'

Alex Eala remains undeterred by her first-round exit in her Australian Open main draw debut on Monday, Jan. 19, saying she is still “taking it all in” as she adjusts to life as one of the Philippines’ brightest and most talked about stars on the international sports stage.

- By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Filipinos came in droves to Melbourne Park to watch her trade strokes with Alycia Parks, and the 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 defeat to the American felt like a harder pill to swallow than her previous losses.