Filipino Fans Pack Alexandra Eala's Indian Wells Practice

The 20-year-old Filipina star continues to command remarkable attention on the WTA Tour.

Mar. 6, 2026 at 6:22am

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A practice session turned into a spectacle at the BNP Paribas Open as Filipino supporters filled the seats surrounding the court to watch Alexandra Eala prepare for her upcoming matches at Indian Wells. Eala's surge in popularity has become one of the most intriguing developments in women's tennis, with crowds regularly gathering to watch her play during the season's opening months.

Why it matters

Eala's growing momentum on the WTA Tour has translated into a rapidly increasing fan base, particularly among Filipino supporters who take great pride in her success. The large crowds at her practice session highlight the excitement surrounding the young Filipina star and her potential to further grow the sport's popularity in her home country.

The details

Even before stepping onto the match court at Indian Wells, Eala has already drawn a strong presence of Filipino supporters around the grounds. A video circulating online highlighted the excitement surrounding one of her practice sessions, with supporters occupying nearly every seat around the court while others stood nearby just to watch her prepare for the tournament.

  • Eala entered the singles draw at Indian Wells as the No. 31 seed, earning a first-round bye.
  • Eala is scheduled to face Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in the second round.
  • Eala is also competing in the doubles event alongside American prospect Iva Jovic. The pair is set to open their campaign against the experienced duo of Jeļena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste.

The players

Alexandra Eala

A 20-year-old Filipina tennis player who has been building considerable momentum on the WTA Tour, climbing to a career-high ranking of world No. 31 earlier in the 2026 season.

Dayana Yastremska

A Ukrainian tennis player who Eala is scheduled to face in the second round of the Indian Wells singles draw.

Iva Jovic

An American tennis prospect who is Eala's doubles partner at the Indian Wells tournament.

Jeļena Ostapenko

A Latvian tennis player who, along with Hailey Baptiste, is the experienced doubles duo that Eala and Jovic are set to face in the opening round.

Hailey Baptiste

An American tennis player who, along with Jeļena Ostapenko, is the experienced doubles duo that Eala and Jovic are set to face in the opening round.

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What they’re saying

“I've only dreamed of making tennis grow in the Philippines, and now I'm bringing a whole new audience to tennis all around the world.”

— Alexandra Eala

“The Filipinos, we have such a strong sense of community, and I feel like when one of us does well or one of us is succeeding, we all have that shared sense of pride.”

— Alexandra Eala

“My friends will tell me that the courts are full. They're full at home. And just so many things that I didn't think would happen because of what I'm doing on tour.”

— Alexandra Eala

What’s next

Eala is scheduled to face Dayana Yastremska in the second round of the Indian Wells singles draw, while she and Iva Jovic will open their doubles campaign against the experienced duo of Jeļena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste.

The takeaway

Alexandra Eala's growing popularity and the passionate support of Filipino fans highlight her potential to further elevate the sport of tennis in her home country and around the world. Her success on the WTA Tour has captured the imagination of her compatriots, who are rallying behind her in large numbers and helping to expand the sport's reach and appeal.