Alexandra Eala is set to make her debut at the Indian Wells event this week following her run to the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals.
Eala stunned Jasmine Paolini on her way to the last eight in the UAE, before losing to Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Throughout the Dubai event, Eala’s fans produced raucous atmospheres comparable to some of the biggest matches in the sport’s history.
What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔
Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
The Filipina is having an incredible impact on the game, despite being ranked outside the world’s top 30 players.
And this impact has been recognised by the Dubai Tennis Championships following the conclusion of the tournament.
Dubai Tournament Director hails Alexandra Eala’s influence on the Dubai Tennis Championships
Despite previous concerns regarding the withdrawals of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, tournament director Salah Tahlak has expressed his delight at how the week played out.
Tahlak, who has been the tournament director since 2019, focused particularly on the influence of Alex Eala while speaking to The National.
“We had a fantastic women’s week,” Tahlak said. “We had four top-10 players competing in the semi-finals and so many great matches.
“Alexandra Eala was a brilliant addition to the field, she attracted a new demographic to the tennis and the stadium was sold out for all her matches.
“People were desperately trying to get tickets but they were all gone.
“We’ve never seen anything like it,” he continued. “I’m so happy that our sport and our tournament have captured the hearts of Filipino fans here in the UAE, because they bring so much passion to the stadium.”
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
Tennis fans packed the Centre Court stadium at the Dubai Tennis Championships, creating atmospheres rarely heard on the WTA Tour.
Eala’s fans have turned out in their masses at every tournament she has competed in this year, and who would bet against that continuing in Indian Wells?
Alex Eala’s influence could see Indian Wells set a new fan attendance record
Last year, Indian Wells set an all-time attendance record with 504,268 tennis fans passing through the gates during the 15-day event.
With Alex Eala now making her debut at the event this year, the fan attendance record could be broken.
Tennis fans will soon find out whether Eala’s influence will continue to bear fruit in California: the Filipina is due to play her second round match on Friday upon the completion of all first-round matches.
Eala will face Dayana Yastremska or 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the second round.
If Eala wins her second-round match, she could face Coco Gauff in the third round.
Gauff recently defeated Eala at the Dubai Tennis Championships, 6-0, 6-2.
