'Stick to the work, keep going': Jordan Clarkson offers words of encouragement for Alex Eala
NEW YORK, United States — Jordan Clarkson knows what it feels like to lose your place, keep working and wait for another chance.
The Filipino-American NBA champion went through that experience last season with the New York Knicks, when he was dropped from the rotation before fighting his way back and helping the team win its first championship in 53 years.
Now, as Alex Eala tries to overcome a frustrating stretch on the women's tennis tour, Clarkson has some advice for the Filipina star.
"Just stick to what you know. Stick to the work," Clarkson told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview following the Knicks' 122-120 preseason victory over the Toronto Raptors Thursday night (Friday Manila time) at Madison Square Garden.
"It's gonna be ups and downs. You just gotta keep your head down, one foot in front of the other ... and keep going.”
His encouragement comes as Eala prepares for the Ningbo Open, a WTA 500 tournament in China scheduled for October 19-25.
The 21-year-old Filipina has endured a difficult run since the US Open, suffering opening-match defeats in Singapore and Wuhan while also falling short of expectations in the 20th Asian Games, where she settled for a bronze in women’s singles.
Eala lost to Russia's Tatiana Prozorova, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, in her opening match in Singapore before squandering a one-set lead against Chinese qualifier Shi Han in Wuhan, losing 6-4, 3-6, 3-6.
Her Asian Games campaign also ended in disappointment despite earning a bronze medal.
Eala entered the tournament as the top seed and a leading contender for gold but fell to fourth-seeded Wang Xiyu of China, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the semifinals.
The defeat ended her bid for the gold medal and an automatic berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
It was a frustrating stretch for a player who had enjoyed a breakthrough season, highlighted by her first WTA Tour singles title in Washington and a climb into the world's top 20.
Clarkson, however, believes Eala possesses the mental toughness to respond.
"Tough people last through tough times, and you know she got that, and she got that fight in her," he said.
Clarkson knows the struggle firsthand
The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year had his own share of adversity during his first season in New York.
Clarkson found himself outside coach Mike Brown's rotation in January as the Knicks struggled through a stretch of nine losses in 11 games.
A veteran brought in to provide scoring off the bench, Clarkson suddenly found himself watching games from the sidelines as Brown searched for answers.
But he continued working, remained professional and eventually earned another opportunity.
Clarkson returned to the rotation in March, delivering a 27-point performance against his former team, the Utah Jazz, as he worked his way back into Brown's plans.
His persistence paid off in the playoffs, when he contributed valuable minutes during New York's historic championship run.
Just months after losing his regular place in the lineup, Clarkson was celebrating his first NBA title.
That experience provided a fitting backdrop to his message for Eala, whose early success has brought greater expectations and scrutiny.
Clarkson knows a difficult stretch doesn't have to define an entire season.
Clarkson impressed after meeting Eala at US Open
His encouragement also comes from firsthand admiration.
Clarkson met Eala during the US Open in New York, where he had an opportunity to spend time with her and watch her compete.
"It was amazing. She's a special talent," Clarkson said.
"Definitely gonna follow it throughout her career. She's already on a great path to doing great things.”
The 34-year-old guard said he was particularly happy to see another Filipino athlete thriving on the international stage.
"I was just happy I got a chance to hang out with her, see her, and see her in action as well," he said. "It was really cool."
Eala, who reached the third round of the US Open before falling to American Iva Jovic, will try to regain her rhythm in Ningbo.
Her next tournament begins Monday, with opening-round singles matches scheduled for October 19-20.
For Clarkson, who went from the end of the Knicks' bench to becoming an NBA champion, the message to Eala is rooted in experience.
The setbacks may be painful, but they don't have to last.
And having seen the Filipina's talent up close, Clarkson believes she has the fight to work through them.
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Alder Almo is a former senior sportswriter for Philstar.com and NBA.com Philippines. He is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey, and writes for US-based publication Heavy.com.
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