Eala, “appreciative of the whole journey and the work”, hopes for a strong week in Hong Kong
Electricity is in the air at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open! Qualifications are done, the draw is set, and the stars are getting ready to deliver. On Sunday, Alexandra Eala and Venus Williams met the press to share their feelings about their year and being back in the city.
- Alexandra Eala is proud of her breakthrough and now hopes for more
- Venus Williams is back in Hong Kong, still hungry for more on the court
- Qualifiers and lucky ones who made it to the main draw
- Kids’day and Celebrity Challenge made the buzz on Sunday
“I’m super proud, and I’m coming into the last tournament with no regrets,” Eala
Alexandra Eala is the second seed this week at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, on the heels of her breakthrough season. The Filipino star met the press on Sunday ahead of her first match against Alycia Parks. “I’m super excited to be back here. I’ve always had very fond memories here in Hong Kong. Playing here last year was amazing—the crowd, hospitality. So, I couldn’t be happier to be back,” the 21-year-old phenom said.
ON MILESTONES AND WHAT COMES AFTER YOU REACHED THEM
“I definitely think it was more than I expected to achieve. With each milestone that I’ve had this year and throughout the past three years, I think the more I realize how difficult it is to achieve said milestones and hold my position on the rankings, on the tour, and in various places. So I’m really appreciative of the whole journey that I’ve had this season and the work that my team and I have put in.”
ON MANAGING A LONG SEASON
“The season’s very long, so it’s natural that there are better moments and moments where it’s a little bit more difficult. But health is at the forefront of my priorities, both mentally and physically. There are just different ways I plan and approach both aspects. I have a great team that helps work with my schedule and guide me towards what’s best for myself. So, I owe a lot of it to them.
I’m still definitely very motivated, coming off a great week last week (she reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo). But rest is also very important. The season has been super long for a lot of us, but that’s something to think about when I’m out of the tournament. Right now, my mind is preoccupied with how I can prepare in the best way and compete, and be ready to fight.”
ON EXPECTATIONS
“Having shown a certain level or shown myself that I’m capable of A, B, and C, it’s natural that the expectations rise. But so does the demand in terms of what the sport demands of you, and what the level demands of you. So, although it’s super important to have high standards, it’s also important to be understanding of said demands, to be understanding that I am able to produce a certain level, and it takes a lot of work to be able to exert that each and every time. As I said, the season is very long, so it’s natural that it goes up and down, but with that being said, I’m super proud of this whole year, even the past couple of weeks, of how I’ve been working, how I’ve been training. I’m super proud of that, and I’m coming into the last tournament of the season with no regrets. I’ve done everything I could have possibly done. I’m super happy with whatever happens.”
MULAN OR POCAHONTAS? LET HER KNOW
(Eala didn’t have time for a Halloween party in Hong Kong, but she still has options in mind for a year when she will have the time) “I would be either Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck-It Ralph, and the third one would be Pocahontas. And I was debating with my coach whether I look more like Pocahontas or Mulan. Now that I said it in the press conference, you know, guys, I would love your input if you think I look more like Mulan or Pocahontas.”
“There’s always something new to learn and ways to reinvent yourself,” Venus Williams.
Tennis legend Venus Williams is coming back to the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, both in singles and doubles. The last time she played here was in 2017. She met the press on Sunday and shared her joy of being back in the city and her motivation to still take the court.
ON BEING BACK IN HONG KONG
“I’ve always loved playing here. My first time was when I was 18 years old, and I remember being fascinated by the city, and that fascination has never ended. Now I’m here with my family, and I’ve told them all about it, and I think they feel the same way. Things have definitely stayed very much the same, so it’s nice to come back to something familiar.”
ON HER GOALS AND MOTIVATION
“In terms of a target, I think most of all, just enjoying myself on the court. I seem to get better whenever I do that. (…) “It’s the same approach as always in my training and discipline for each match. And, of course, I’m extremely perfectionist. I want to know that I am prepared to give my best on the court, and the only way to do that is to be completely prepared. All of the other players are playing very well now, so I have to be ready for that.
I think that there’s always something new to learn and ways to reinvent yourself. A lot of what I’m doing here is continuing to learn and push my game, and to add things and change things. It’s not always easy, but I think it’s always the right thing to do. So, it’s about just continuing to evolve as a person, on and off the court.
ON DOUBLES AND HER FIRST SINGLES OPPONENT
Venus Williams played doubles in Guangzhou with Janice Tjen and will play with Xu Yifan in Hong Kong.
“I hadn’t played in a couple of months, so coming back, you know you have to start quickly as everyone’s been playing every week by then. So it was great playing with her (Tjen). My husband suggested that I play with her, so it was a great suggestion. (…) I’ve played against Yifan a lot of times, so this is the first time playing together. She’s an unbelievable person, so I’m hoping that we can just keep building on the momentum of last week.” The former World No.1 will start her Hong Kong campaign against compatriot Mary Stoiana (#113), who just played the quarterfinals in Hiroshima. They have never faced each other before: “I don’t know much about her yet, so I’m going to definitely be finding out as much as I can before the match,” Williams said.
Qualifiers and lucky ones
On Sunday, the final spots in the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open were decided, and both top seeds did justice to their status.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the top seed (#112) of that qualification draw, didn’t lose a set in two matches to snatch that ticket for the main draw. On Sunday, she defeated US player (#156) Carol Yongsuh Lee (6-2, 6-1) and will now try to keep going in the main draw, facing Katie Volynets (0-3 in their H2H).
The second seed of these qualifications, Himeno Sakatsume (#114), had a bit more work to do in Victoria Park to reach the main draw. The Japanese (pictured below) came back from a set down to have the last word (5-7, 6-2, 6-2) against Elena Pridankina (#190) and will now battle against Tereza Valentova in the main draw.
In a twist of tennis fate, both players who lost these two qualifying matches will still play in the main draw following the withdrawals of Kaitlin Quevedo (lower limb injury) and Sun Xinran (lower limb injury). Lee will now face Maria Sakkari, while Pridankina will challenge Paula Badosa.
In the other matches, there was no surprise when the super in-form Tatiana Prozorova (#123) qualified against British teenager Mika Stojsavljevic (6-4, 6-1). Another teen didn’t make the cut as Australian Emerson Jones (#127) got upset by Alexandra Shubladze (#133) in straight sets (6-4, 6-2). In the main draw, Prozorova will face Claire Liu, while Shubladze will play against Liudmila Samsonova.
YOU HAVE TO SEE THAT!
On Sunday, the city was abuzz with tennis, between the end of the qualifications, training sessions of the main draw players, and the VIP event that brought stars of the entertainment industry, as nobody wanted to miss the Celebrity Challenge and the kids’ day.
Paula Badosa and Liudmila Samsonova came to take part in this tennis party, meeting kids and celebrities along the way.
Pictured above, you can see some of the most recognisable faces in the local entertainment industry who made their way to the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, including Ms. Charlene Choi, Mr. Carlos Chan, and Mr. Angus Yeung. Local athletes Max Poon Pui-hin (Right winger for Kwoon Chung Southern) and Rex Ng Wai-tsun (Guard for Hong Kong Bulls) also attended. At the Tournament Village, the Celebrity Challenge featured a golf challenge, a one-on-one drone soccer battle, and
pickleball doubles. You can find the press release and a link to more pictures of the events attached.
COME BACKSTAGE!
Alexandra Eala already brought some tennis fever for her practice session, where fans didn’t miss the chance to welcome her and get some quality time with the champion. The second seed will face Alycia Parks for her first match in Hong Kong.
Can you really launch a tournament without a players’ party? Hong Kong won’t even try. All the players had the opportunity to come share some fun time before competition takes over.
They’ve also all already left their mark at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, right on that wall they signed on.
Everybody left with a smile and with knowing someone they might have not met before!
NOW, WHAT? SO MUCH!
Maria Sakkari and Venus Williams will be on Centre Court on Monday for their first round at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.
EVERYTHING you need to know about the tournament
More pictures of the players available, attached to that email. Please credit Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026
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