In a display of Olympic-level deflection, Alexandra Eala volleyed a rogue media question straight into the realm of feminist mic-drops.

After her unexpected first-round Italian Open loss, a journalist—clearly auditioning for Pinoy TMZ—decided to probe her mental state as if she’d just surrendered the nation to foreign invaders. Eala, channeling equal parts Serena Williams and courtroom-lawyer realness, clapped back: “I’m here to discuss tennis, not to be judged or reduced to one match.” Boom. Cue the imaginary slow clap from Rizal’s ghost. The interviewer, possibly expecting tears or a melodramatic exit, instead got a lesson in professional boundaries wrapped in a backhanded rebuke.

In a country where athletes are expected to be saints, boxers, and beauty queens all at once, Eala’s refusal to play along was both revolutionary and refreshing. Next time, maybe stick to backhands and drop shots, dear media—it’s called a press conference, not a teleserye audition.