Alexandra Eala has clearly established herself as one of tennis’ top attractions early in the 2026 season, drawing attention wherever she plays.
During her opening-round match against Alycia Parks at the Australian Open, crowds formed well before play even started, a clear sign of her growing fanbase.
That enthusiasm has not slowed down. Large numbers turned out again for her matches at both the Philippine Women’s Open and Abu Dhabi Open, with young fans making up a significant part of the audience.
Eala will next be seen at the Qatar Open. In anticipation, Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig had plenty to say about what sets the 20-year-old apart from other rising stars.
Monica Puig shares thoughts on Alexandra Eala after Abu Dhabi
While speaking with Arab News, Olympic gold medallist Puig was asked what message she would have for Eala following her performance at the Abu Dhabi Open.
The 32-year-old former tennis player replied: “I think to enjoy it, embrace it. It also is a big responsibility because you are pretty much the face for your country.
“And I know the Philippines has had success in other sports, but Eala now being the face of tennis, Filipino tennis, and Janice Tjen for Indonesia. It’s really great to see these players coming from their countries and making a big boom.”
Eala once again drew huge crowds at Abu Dhabi, with fans turning up in force for her matches throughout the WTA event.
Puig also spoke about how many new fans the world No. 40 has brought to tennis just by showing up each week.
She said: “To see their fan base also follow them is something really cool because it doesn’t matter if they know tennis, they don’t know tennis, they show up for their countrywomen.
“And it’s really been super exciting to see, especially here in Abu Dhabi, a lot of Filipinos here, a lot of Indonesian fans in here. So it’s been a pretty remarkable week.”
After witnessing the Filipina reach the quarter-finals, Puig described Eala’s crowds as “Absolutely wild”.
“They were just loud. They were so passionate and they were really trying to encourage Eala to win. And you saw that they were just suffering along with her.”
Alexandra Eala looking to build on momentum at Qatar Open
The Filipina star is set to feature in the Qatar Open next, having qualified by ranking for a WTA 1000 event for the first time in her career.
Eala faces a tough opening-round match-up against Tereza Valentova in what promises to be another challenging draw.
The 20-year-old will be hoping for another loud, supportive crowd behind her, much like the ones that lifted her during several matches in Abu Dhabi.
Eala’s recent form has propelled her to a career-high ranking of world number 40, where she now holds 1,244 ranking points.
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