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MANILA, August 19, 2026 (SDN) — A Manila Leg of the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) would be a wonderful gift to Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s adoring countrymen.
And, presumably, the right group to request the WTA in the United States to stage a tournament in the Philippines is the Philippine Tennis Association (PhilTA).
It would be huge, huge, boost to the country’s tennis community as the youngsters inspired by Eala’s outstanding feats in tennis get the chance to watch in person many of the world’s tennis champions, and other elite players.
For is it not that in the 2026 season, according to Tennis365, “she has become one of the most sought after stars on the WTA tour.”
The online new site even went as far as saying that even the Swiss Roger Federer — one of the tennis world’s greatest players — was not able to manage what the Filipina tennis star’s drawing power is getting.
It’s “something ‘unprecedented’ that not even Roger Federer has managed” to accomplish.
The description “unprecented” that Tennis365 cited came from Karl Hale, tournament director of the Canadian Open (National Bank Open). Eala is a frequent subject of Tennis365’s reportage, giving her wide coverage as her global popularity continues to surge.
Tennis365, obviously, was referring to the Washington DC’s Mubadala DC Open WTA 500 Tour champion Eala’s ability to attract fans, a vast majority of them her fellow Filipinos, who sell out tickets in her matches days before she lifts her racket, packing to the brim every venue of her matches.
Interviewed by Tennis365, Hale hailed the Filipina racket wielder’s increased popularity as “just unprecedented”.
” We’ve never seen like that in Toronto before. It was unexpected. We saw the momentum build up from February in Doha (Qatar), and over the past year. And it really culminated in the week of, which every match she played it sold out,” he said.
The Canadian Open official also cited Eala’s interactions with spectators.
“She was just so engaging with her fans and the comminity. It was really beautiful to see her so loyal to her fans. I think one of the uniqueness about this event in particular this year was, in the past we saw tens of flags from various nations throughout.
” This year we saw hundreds and thousands of flags. Last night you saw the engagement of the fans with each other, which was great to see. In addition to that, you saw the fans staying until the end of the session for the whole tournament.”
Would President Marcos support a WTA tournament in Manila?
Hale also revealed that this year’s Canadian Open with Eala’s participation “was a learning moment” and that they’ll go back to the drawing board to try and see how to accommodate more communities.
“You know, we’re a part of this great cultural community in Toronto, so we want everybody to be a part of this event in the future.”
Over at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington DC, United States, where Eala defeated American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, Tournament Director Mark Ein cited the packed fans for two players’ finals meeting.
“This must be the greatest crowd for a Monday final anyone’s ever seen,” he said, alluding to the continuation of the match to Monday that was supposed to be played on a Sunday, but the weather had another plan. Eala had another plan, too.
Her historic win in the Mubadala DC Open 2026 had her defeat top players such as former world number 4 and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, depending champion Leylah Fernandez; Elina Svitolina; four times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and multi-champion 3rd seed Jessica Pegula.
Apparently, Ein had seen the massive crowd of fans that packed venues to watch Eala’s every match, in Florida, U.S.; Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and got the idea about inviting the Filipina to Washington DC to play.
Not only that, as fellow Filipino tennis player Dyan Castillejo reported, Ein’s team specifically invited Eala to play in the Mubadala DC Open as huge number of fans also asked for her playing schedules.
He said it was early in the year, as Castillejo said, that organizers of the tournament “recognized her growing global impact and made a specific effort to invite Alex Eala to participate in the Washington event”, adding they actively worked to bring her to the Washington DC leg of the tournament.
And that roughly 80 percent to virtually all incoming ticket and players inquiries received by the tournament’s ticketing team asked about when Eala would play, Castillejo said, citing Ein.
And by packing tournament venues, Eala, undoubtedly, is also bringing in hordes of money to tournament organizers.
Let’s hope President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. would support asking the WTA play a tournament in this nation going crazy about Alex Eala. — EDD K. USMAN (√)