Alex Eala’s many fans descend on US Open, bearing Filipino flags and lots of love

New York (AP) — Alex Eala's ardent fans showed up at the U.S. Open, carrying Filipino flags and displaying great enthusiasm. The 21-year-old tennis star had just completed practice for her first-round match. Eala's supporters didn't have tickets for the evening session, but they were eager to witness her skills on the court. Among them was Andrea Belen, a 21-year-old premed student from New York University.

She had become a tennis fan due to Eala's similarity and her own Filipino background. Belen and her friend, Sarah Frederick, had arrived at the practice court well before Eala's scheduled appearance. They observed that the seats would fill up quickly. In the Philippines, basketball and boxing are the most popular sports, but Eala's presence has inspired a newfound appreciation for women athletes.

The fans cheered Eala's powerful groundstrokes and cheered her on, with some even FaceTiming their friends and family to share the moment. Retired friends, dressed in blue hats with the phrase "Laban Alex" (meaning "Fight Alex" in Tagalog), expressed their pride in seeing a countryman achieve such success. Eala's fans, many of whom did not have tickets, traveled from far and wide, including Ellene Santos, a 67-year-old fan from Orlando, Florida. They were thrilled to catch a glimpse of their idol, even if it meant missing the actual match.