How Alex Eala Became a Symbol of the Philippines
At only twenty-one, the tennis phenom is likely already the best-ever player from Southeast Asia. Now she is seeking her first Grand Slam title at this summer’s U.S. Open.
Alex Eala's rise to fame in the world of tennis has made her a beloved and iconic figure in the Philippines. Everywhere she plays, from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, devoted fans gather, often waving the Philippine flag and chanting "Laban, Alex!" in Tagalog. Eala's coach, Joan Bosch, notes that many Filipinos come to watch her victories, assuring her that there is no pressure.
Eala holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam, beat a Top Ten opponent, win a Grand Slam match, reach Wimbledon's fourth round, win a WTA tournament, and attain a Top Twenty ranking. Her popularity has grown even more than her on-court accomplishments. As a result, tournament organizers have had to move her early-round matches to the main courts, which are usually reserved for higher-ranked players and often sell out.
Fans have organized watch parties for Eala's matches, even starting them after midnight, a testament to her popularity. To accommodate the surge in demand, schedulers have moved her matches to the main courts, which have the most seats and are typically reserved for top-ranked players. At a recent tournament in Washington, D.C., eighty percent of ticketing inquiries were for Eala.
The Canadian Open's director credited her with unprecedented ticket sales, remarking that a sold-out Wednesday night during this early stage of the tournament is highly unusual.
Coco Gauff, an American tennis star, has credited Eala with bringing a new demographic to tennis. Venus Williams has praised Eala as a "world star." Eala's fandom is particularly visible at the U.S. Open, where around fifty thousand people of Filipino descent live in Queens, particularly in Woodside, home to New York City's oldest Jollibee.
The U.S. Open has transformed into one of the city's most glamorous events, attracting celebrities and notable figures. For many fans, attending Eala's matches provides a rare opportunity to see her up close for free, a chance to celebrate her success.
Written by urgent.news from The New Yorker's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
