Alex Eala and Joao Fonseca are the two most well-followed young stars on the professional tennis circuit.
Eala and Fonseca both played in Indian Wells this week, and were heavily supported by raucous Filipino and Brazilian crowds.
Eala beat Dayana Yastremska and Coco Gauff on her way to the fourth round, before losing to Linda Noskova in straight sets.
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Fonseca produced an equally impressive run, defeating Raphael Collignon, Karen Khachanov and Tommy Paul before losing 6-7, 6-7 to world number two Jannik Sinner.
Following their exits, Tommy Haas – the Indian Wells Tournament Director – has discussed Eala and Fonseca’s positive influence on the event.
Tommy Haas says he has never witnessed the level of commitment that Alex Eala and Joao Fonseca’s fans have demonstrated in Indian Wells
Tommy Haas is the former world number two and a multiple Grand Slam semi-finalist.
Haas [pictured below], who never managed to reach a Grand Slam final during his career, is now the Indian Wells Tournament Director.
During an interview with the Tennis Channel on Wednesday, Tennis Channel host Steve Weissman asked Haas a pertinent question: “The record crowds. I mean, so many fans here over the weekend, every single day.
“It’s been packed for players like Alex Eala, João Fonseca, seeing the Filipino fans, the Brazilian. Have you ever seen anything like that in terms of their commitment to those players?”
“No,” Haas replied. But that’s fantastic to see. It’s all about the growth and the evolving in the tennis world. Global sport.
“So seeing that and even watching Fonseca last night against Sinner, which was, you know, maybe the best hitting match so far of the tournament on the men’s side, and seeing the Brazilian fans— I mean, that’s what you kind of want.
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“You want that new atmosphere. Same for Eala, having all the Philippine fans coming to support her. It’s fantastic.
“And supporting the young, the next generation, you know, even [Victoria] Mboko, who is doing really, really well here as well.
“So it’s like you see the next generation, the young generation hyping up the tennis world. And that’s what it’s all about.”
Eala and Fonseca are both expected to travel south for the Miami Open, which is set to get underway on March 17.
Eala produced a magical run at the 2025 Miami Open, beating Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek on her way to the semi-finals.
As for Fonseca, he defeated Learner Tien and Ugo Humbert at the 2025 Miami Open, before losing to Alex de Minaur.
Where will Eala and Fonseca be ranked at the end of 2026?
Eala has enjoyed an excellent start to the year, and is set to rise four places to world number 28 following her performance in California.
As for Fonseca, he has fallen 15 places since the start of the year to world number 30, as per the ATP live rankings.
However, Fonseca has clearly turned a corner, and could be set to rise back up the rankings, should his good form continue.
As for Eala, the Filipina has all the tools to push for a top 20 berth. However, she will most certainly need to perform well at the upcoming Miami Open, or face a significant fall in the rankings.
