After a short Miami Open run, Alex Eala took a trip to catch up with fellow Filipino sports star, Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala may have faced an early exit from the Miami Open after her loss to Irina-Camelia Begu. But, she still made the most out of her trip to Florida with a visit to the nearby Miami-Dade Arena.
The 17-year-old took time out of her schedule to catch some Miami Heat action at their game against the New York Knicks on Thursday. And, as the rising tennis star that she is, she got backstage access where she got to meet members of the team.
Filipino-American Coach Spoelstra, along with star player Bam Adebayo, gave Alex Eala a warm welcome to Miami.
And perhaps it was the Filipino energy in the Miami-Dade Arena that brought some good luck, because the Heat closed the night with a victory over New York, 127-120, to improve their record in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.
“Come through again in the Miami Open again next year and hit us up next,” Spoelstra tells Alex Eala. “I’ll come see you play.”
“That’s a deal,” the Filipina responds.
Before coming to watch the Heat play the Knicks, Eala suffered a 6-2, 7-5 loss to Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania in the Miami Open Round of 128.
But, even though Eala was unable to advance further in the Miami Open, it certainly seems like she’ll be back again next year. Maybe then, Coach Spoelstra can return Eala’s favor of good fortune and bring it to the tennis court next time around.
Banner image from Miami Heat on Twitter.
Related Stories:
LOOK: Nike Customizes Alex Eala Kicks to Commemorate US Open Victory
Game, Set, Match: Alex Eala is Serving History
4 reasons why tennis fans either love or hate Nick Kyrgios