{"id":47695,"date":"2026-08-06T19:45:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/47695\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T19:45:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:45:12","slug":"tennis-star-alex-eala-impressed-by-filipino-support-from-toronto-crowd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/tennis\/47695\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis star Alex Eala impressed by Filipino support from Toronto crowd"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just days after becoming the first woman from the Philippines to win a WTA championship in Washington, D.C., Alexandra Eala\u00a0was greeted by thousands of passionate fans who packed the 12,500-seat Sobeys Stadium for her first-ever match in Toronto.<\/p>\n

Eala immediately felt the love and rewarded them with a memorable performance.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old star defeated American Alycia Parks in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to advance to the Round of 32 at the National Bank Open. As Eala walked off the court, the sold-out crowd chanted her name.<\/p>\n

She said following her victory, the support she had received from the fans on hand would be something she’d never forget.<\/p>\n

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Alex Eala was HYPED after her win \ud83d\ude24 #NBO26<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G6ftXsnWar<\/a><\/p>\n


\n\u2014 Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“It’s my first time here in Toronto, and this was such a memorable match,” Eala said during the post-match press conference.<\/p>\n

“There were so many Filipinos in the crowd, and so many flags. I am eternally grateful.”<\/p>\n

Eala went on to say that she felt right at home playing in front of the Toronto crowd.<\/p>\n

According to the 2021 Canadian Census, there are more than 250,000 people of Filipino descent living in and around the Greater Toronto Area.<\/p>\n

“I felt at home out there with all the people supporting me,” she said. “My message to fans is that I hope they enjoyed tennis and the grounds, and want to come back.”<\/p>\n

The demand to see the young rising star in women’s tennis has been very high.<\/p>\n

Tickets for her opening singles match sold out in less than 30 minutes<\/a>, and her Thursday night doubles match alongside American tennis legend Venus Williams also reached capacity.<\/p>\n

Tournament director Karl Hale said the interest has been so high that the tournament has moved all of Eala’s matches to centre court to accommodate the larger crowds.<\/p>\n

The tournament has even added a traditional Filipino dish, chicken adobo, to several concession stands to accommodate the thousands of supporters coming to watch her.<\/p>\n

Eala’s rise to superstardom is even being praised by some of the biggest names in women’s tennis. Two-time U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka said following her second-round match on Wednesday that the attention Eala has received is great for the sport.<\/p>\n

“It’s so cool she’s building a new community and fans around her. It’s great for women’s tennis and the tournament,” Osaka said.<\/p>\n

Eala will look to continue her run at the National Bank Open when she faces American Caty McNally in the Round of 32 on Friday night.<\/p>\n

While Eala is yet to experience Toronto outside the York University tennis grounds, she hopes that changes if she can continue this winning streak.<\/p>\n

“My schedule right now is kind of hotel, court, hotel, then court. Hopefully, I do well here and then can spend more time in the city,” she said.<\/p>\n