Alex Eala’s popularity reached new heights during her first match at the Canadian Open against Alycia Parks.
The stadium was packed to the rafters before either player came out and the roar for Eala from the thousands of Filipinos could probably be heard from across the entirety of Canada.
Much to the delight of the fans, Eala managed to win the match in three sets to earn her sixth victory in a row following her title win at the Washington Open.
Eala’s is undoubtedly the most popular player at the Canadian Open so far this year, across the women’s tournament in Toronto and the men’s event in Montreal.
The Filipina star was asked about her popularity at the tournament so far, as well as the effect it has having on her home country of the Philippines.
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“Yeah, I would love to be home more often. The tour, as you know, is very demanding; I’m travelling a lot. So I definitely see Manila or the Philippines, the whole entirety of it in a different light every time I come back,” said Eala.
“From what I’ve been told, it’s very difficult to get courts nowadays. Online I’m seeing everybody is playing tennis, people picking up racquets, of all ages.
“I hear stories directly from them of how they have picked up tennis or other racquet sports and things like that. I think tennis is well loved back home, and anything I can do to help that cause, you know, it’s my pleasure, yeah.”
Alex Eala’s last 10 matches
- Canadian Open: Alycia Parks – W
- Washington Open: Jessica Pegula – W
- Washington Open: Naomi Osaka – W
- Washington Open: Elina Svitolina – W
- Washington Open: Leylah Fernandez – W
- Washington Open: Qinwen Zheng – W
- Wimbledon: Jasmine Paolini – L
- Wimbledon: Iga Swiatek – W
- Wimbledon: Maya Joint – W
- Wimbledon: Renata Zarazua – W
Due to her excellent form across the summer months, Eala is one of the favourites to win the Canadian Open this year.
The star’s chances of reaching the latter stages were buoyed by the early exit of Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who Eala was due to play in the third round.
Instead, she will play the woman who dethroned her, Caty McNally, which is set to take place on Friday, 7th August’s order of play.
The winner of that tie will play either Taylor Townsend or Belinda Bencic in the fourth round for a place in the last eight of the Masters event.
As well as playing in the singles, Eala is also set to reignite her doubles partnership with Venus Williams at the tournament.
The pair played together at Bad Homburg in June, where they reached the quarter finals, and Williams and Eala are set to play Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the first round of the doubles draw.
