Camille Naredo

Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News

Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026.
Eala failed to advance to the next round after losing to Valentova for the second time, with a score of 6-7, 1-6.  Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

EALA

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177260937233020260210-wta1000-qatar-open-alex-eala-DO1770638731175074.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Alexandra Eala face Tereza Valentova during the WTA 1000 Qatar Open at Center Court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 9, 2026. Dianne Obdin, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- She has yet to see action at the BNP Paribas Open but Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already making headlines at Indian Wells.Eala, now ranked 31st in the world by the WTA, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://bnpparibasopen.com/news/alexandra-eala-touches-down-in-tennis-paradise">was touted as a &quot;fan favorite&quot; in a write-up on the tournament&#x27;s official website</a>, with author Chris Oddo highlighting her rapid rise in the past year. &quot;Alexandra Eala has become one of tennis&#x27; most delightfully unkept secrets,&quot; wrote Oddo, who praised the Filipina for &quot;her electric game, engaging personality and the passion of her fan base.&quot;He noted the warm reception that Eala received during her first training session at Indian Wells, with fans gathering at Practice Court 6 to catch a glimpse of the Filipina.&quot;After her practice session on Monday… a large group gathered and chanted Eala&#x27;s name as she moved across the player&#x27;s lawn and passed into the player&#x27;s lounge,&quot; Oddo wrote. &quot;It&#x27;s the new reality for the rising talent. The Eala effect is real, and growing.&quot;For many in the crowd, it was a proud moment to see a Filipina compete in one of tennis&#x27; biggest tournaments. Indian Wells is widely considered as the &quot;fifth&quot; Grand Slam because of its strong field, world-class facilities, and the level of competition it attracts every year.&quot;I’ve been coming to this tournament for 10 years. Now I finally have a Filipina out here,&quot; said one fan who watched the practice session.&quot;We come here every year. Now we came here because she is also here,&quot; said another supporter. &quot;We are in this together — win or lose.&quot;Eala practiced on Stadium Court 2 with WTA No. 15 Madison Keys before logging another hour on an outside court alongside Romania&#x27;s Jaqueline Cristian, ranked No. 35. She is set to open her campaign in the second round on Friday against the winner of the first round match between China&#x27;s Zhang Shuai and Ukraine&#x27;s Dayana Yastremska.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/3/alex-eala-gets-round-1-bye-opens-indian-wells-bid-vs-zhang-shuai-or-yastremska-1211">READ: Alex Eala gets round 1 bye, opens Indian Wells bid vs. Zhang Shuai or Yastremska</a></div>&quot;To be living my dreams and playing in Indian Wells with a lot of people supporting me is something I&#x27;ve dreamed of since I was young,&quot; said Eala.Should she hurdle her opponent in the second round, Eala may be in line for a rematch against Coco Gauff, who soundly defeated Eala last month. The 20-year-old considers the American star both a fierce competitor and a role model.&quot;I would love to play her again,&quot; said Eala of Gauff. &quot;I think she’s an incredible athlete and an incredible person and she’s a role model for a reason. Our last match was great. I think she played amazing and I always learn a lot when I share the court with her, whether it’s practice or a match.&quot;&quot;If we were ever to meet again, I would love to take those learnings and try to employ them on the court,&quot; she added.Ahead of her Indian Wells debut, Eala had competed in the Australian Open and reached the quarterfinals in Dubai just last month. &quot;I think I have a lot of positives to take away. The atmosphere in each tournament has been amazing and it&#x27;s been a different start this year than any other year I&#x27;ve ever had. So I&#x27;m very happy with it,&quot; Eala said of her campaign so far in 2026.&quot;Not just on the court, but as a person in general, I&#x27;ve matured a lot. I&#x27;ve gained a lot of experience at a much higher level than I used to compete. I&#x27;d like to say I&#x27;m a better version of myself now,&quot; she added.<div>-- reports from Dyan Castillejo and TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News</div>

She has yet to see action at the BNP Paribas Open but Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already making headlines at Indian Wells.

She has yet to see action at the BNP Paribas Open but Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is already making headlines at Indian Wells.

Tennis: 'Eala effect' seen at Indian Wells as fans show up to watch Alex in practice

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Tennis: 'Eala effect' seen at Indian Wells as fans show up to watch Alex in practice

ABS-CBN News

Published March 04, 2026 03:31 PM PHT

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Updated March 04, 2026 03:42 PM PHT

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