Alex Eala responds to reporter’s question about being tired at Hong Kong Open
Tennis player Alex Eala fired back at a reporter during a press conference at the Hong Kong Open after being asked if she looked tired during her match, Yahoo Sports reported. Eala, who recently climbed to a career-high ranking of World No. 17, secured a straight-sets victory over Czechia’s Tereza Valentova with a 6-4, 7-6(7) scoreline on Thursday.
The Press Conference Exchange in Hong Kong
The post-match interrogation turned tense when a journalist asked the 21-year-old athlete, You seemed to be very tired during the game. Is that correct?
Yahoo Sports reported. Eala countered the observation directly by asking the press room, Is that your impression (that I’m tired)? Are you tired? Are you tired? Awww… You should rest.
Tennisuptodate.com noted that Eala delivered the response with a playful-ironic tone before addressing the physical realities of competing at a high level. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete. So yeah, I get tired, I recover, and then I go back and I do it again,
Eala explained, according to Tennisuptodate.com. The victory over Valentova marked a turnaround for Eala, who had lost their two earlier meetings, including a defeat at the Qatar Open in February.
Reflecting on a Breakthrough Ranking
Addressing her physical state during an earlier media session, Eala pointed to her spot in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings as validation of her demanding schedule. I guess that (being tired) is the opinion of some, as you say, I hit my career-high (ranking) this week, so if I am tired and I am 17 in the world, that’s great,
Eala stated, as reported by Yahoo Sports. She entered the 2026 season ranked No. 50 and previously touched No. 18 last August before the US Open, according to the Inquirer.
Being tired is a blessing as well, being tired means I have been working hard, I have been having lots of matches, competing a lot,
Eala added in remarks covered by Yahoo Sports. Daily Tribune noted that her 2026 campaign featured notable victories against high-profile opponents, including Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Elina Svitolina, alongside capturing the Birmingham Open grass-court title in June.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Match
Seeded second in the WTA 250 hard-court event, Eala advanced to face Croatia’s Antonia Ružić, currently ranked World No. 81, for a spot in the semifinals. The match stands as the final stop of Eala’s Asian swing for the 2026 season.
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