Alexandra Eala has put the Philippines on the global tennis map with victories in major events and against world-ranked players.

The province of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with local club Tennis on Wheels Philippines, hopes to also produce future stars like Eala with the AMB tennis clinic, which conducted free coaching sessions on March 26 to 28 at Marcos Stadium.

The next free sessions will be on May 27 to 29.

“With the creation and setting up of tennis clubs, we can now apply for membership with Philta (Philippine Tennis Association) to have voting rights and hold national tournaments here,” Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Eugenio Angelo Barba, whose office organized the clinic, said.

Barba said they also entice adult participants or parents so they can help promote tennis to children.

Joy Lucas, 17, told the Philippine News Agency that tennis is fun and interesting.

“It really inspires me because of my teammates. We play together and we join battles together,” Lucas, who is gearing up for the Region 1 Athletic Association in Candon City, Ilocos Sur on April 5 to 11, said.

Ivy Manuel, a 12th-grader, said she started playing tennis when she was at kindergarten but shifted to taekwondo. With the conduct of the tennis clinic with free coaching lessons, her interest was revived.

“The tennis clinic helped me polished my forehand a lot,” she said. (PNA)