Alexandra Eala’s Australian Open campaign was brought to a stuttering halt on Monday by American player Alycia Parks.
Eala seemed to be in full control after winning the first set 6-0. Unfortunately for Filipino fans, Eala was unable to capitalise on her advantage, losing the next two sets 6-3, 6-2.
Despite the loss, Eala’s support at the Australian Open has been incredible; lines of fans queued up to watch her match and Filipino flags could be seen scattered across the Court Six crowd.
Eala, who may be the most popular figure in tennis, expressed her gratitude for the support after the contest.
After Eala’s loss, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova discussed Eala’s popularity, while noting a mistake Australian Open organisers made.
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
Martina Navratilova urges Australian Open organisers to pay more attention to player popularity
Navratilova began the discussion, praising the fans who waited in line to watch Eala on Monday.
“Lindsay [Davenport] was trying to get there [to court six]. It’s amazing that people were so nicely standing in line!” Navratilova said on the Tennis Channel.
“But they would be there for at least an hour, if they ever got to the match! So kudos to the fans, the players have no idea this is happening.”
Lindsay Davenport, the 1999 Wimbledon Women’s Singles champion, added: “She [Eala] probably needed to be on a bigger showcourt.
“She’s – I think – probably the most famous female from the Philippines, certainly one of the most famous people ever to come through there sporting world, and there were so many fans here who were just waiting to get in there.
“I just wanted to go see Alycia Parks play… you weren’t getting anywhere near that court.”
Navratilova – an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion – later continued the discussion, urging Australian Open organisers to pay more attention to respective fan bases and the popularity of players.
“The organisers need to keep more in mind where the players are from and what the actual fan base is here,” Navratilova added.
“Because there’s massive Filipino audience in Melbourne, in Australia, so keep that in mind next time you make the schedule.”
How high do you think Alexandra Eala’s ceiling is?
Alex Eala’s popularity is simply remarkable; wherever the Filipina goes, her fans follow.
Alycia Parks, Eala’s opponent on Monday, noted the partisan crowd, describing the atmosphere as ‘very difficult.’
Parks, the world number 99, will play 19th seed Karolina Muchova in the second round.
Alexandra Eala’s next Australian Open match
Eala is set to make another appearance in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, when she teams up with Brazil’s Ingrid Gamarra Martins for the women’s doubles event.
The pair, who are unseeded, will play Magda Linette and Shuko Aoyama in the first round.
If Eala and Gamarra Martins defeat the Polish and Japanese pair, they will face Linda Noskova and Rebecca Sramkova or sixth seeds Asia Muhammad and Erin Routliffe in the second round.
Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend – the top seeds – are the defending Australian Open Women’s Doubles champions.
