Filipino Fans Rally Behind Alex Eala at US Open

At the US Open in New York, a large group of fans showed their support for Filipino tennis player Alex Eala, arriving with flags and wearing hats that encouraged her to fight on. They filled the practice court hours before her first-round match, eager to witness her practice despite not having tickets for the evening session.

Eala, who recently achieved a career-high ranking of 18th in the world, had a successful summer, including a victory over Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and winning her first tour singles title in Washington. She advanced to the second round of the US Open with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 win against Mary Stoiana.

Among the fans was Andrea Belen, a premed student who noted that Eala's presence has inspired her and her family to become tennis fans. Many attendees expressed pride in Eala's accomplishments, highlighting her representation of Filipino women in sports. As the tournament progresses, the excitement among her supporters is expected to grow.