Ex-national coach says search for tennis hero is over
Former national tennis team coach Karl Santamaria sees the Philippines’ first-ever Women’s Tennis Association 125 event as not just a milestone, but a chance to gauge how far the country will go in fully embracing the sport.
“For the Filipino fans, I know you are all excited to watch world-class tennis and also very excited to watch Alex,” Santamaria said in a phone interview. “So I think this is a way to show the players who are going to participate and the fans watching from other countries, to see that this is how we support the players.”
The Philippine Women’s Open will be held from Jan. 26 to Jan. 31 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, with Alex Eala expected to draw most of the attention.
But for tennis to grow a strong fan base in the country, Santamaria feels that supporting other Filipino competitors in the tournament will be crucial.
“I think the impact of this now is a bit more global. We’ll give more support to Alex, but let’s give support to the other Filipino players and also the other players. Because they will give you world-class tennis.”
Now based in Australia, Santamaria recently watched Eala play at the Australian Open and has followed her rise closely.
The former national coach, who once handled Clarice Patrimonio, Francis Casey Alcantara, University of Santo Tomas and National University teams, also recalled assisting Eala during her 2020 preseason as she prepared for her first professional stint.
“Our culture is always searching for a hero,” Santamaria said. “I think Alex is your best role model hero that you could possibly have.”
“She has very good family values. She understands the responsibility of being not only a celebrity but an emerging global superstar. And she represents what it is to be a Filipino.”
Santamaria was part of a Filipino-heavy crowd at the Australian Open when Eala bowed out to American Alycia Parks after taking the first set. The crowd’s enthusiasm drew repeated reminders from the umpire, prompting Santamaria to explain tennis etiquette to nearby fans.
“We’re not known in the sport of tennis,” he said. “So when you watch Alex live, you are also representing the Philippines.”
He urged fans to be patient as Eala continues her climb, following a breakthrough 2025 season that pushed her into the world’s top 50.
“Tennis is a year-round event,” Santamaria said. “Almost every tournament, you are not a winner. That doesn’t mean you’re not doing well.”
“Alex is not yet near what she can become,” he added. “But if I know anyone who’s working as hard as they can for their craft, I know it’s her. Let’s be a little bit more patient and a little bit more positive in our support—because we have one of the world’s rising stars that we can call our very own.”
