Eala poised to bring fervent following to US Open
Philippine tennis sensation Alexandra Eala is rapidly gaining popularity, with her fan base and skills set to make her a major draw at the upcoming US Open. Former world number four Mary Joe Fernandez noted how Eala's support has grown exponentially in the past year, citing packed practice sessions at the Miami Open and enthusiastic crowds at recent tournaments.
ESPN commentator Fernandez remarked that Eala's following goes beyond just watching her matches; fans come to watch her practice as well. She described the atmosphere as nearly akin to playing a Billie Jean King Cup match, where every single point seems to elicit a massive response.
Eala cemented her rising status by securing her maiden WTA title this month, defeating Jessica Pegula in Washington. Fernandez praised Eala's outstanding performance, highlighting her consistent improvement and exceptional skills. She is now the highest-ranked Filipino and Southeast Asian player in WTA history, ranked 18th globally.
Fellow ESPN commentator Patrick McEnroe suggested that the US Open organizers should ensure Eala plays on one of the larger courts, predicting a wildly enthusiastic crowd. McEnroe described the situation as a great story in the making, emphasizing the potential for Eala to bring a fervent following to the US Open.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
