By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Tennis fans often talk about the different kind of unique atmospheres at tennis events. There is the Davis Cup atmosphere. There is the college tennis atmosphere. There is the night match atmosphere at U.S. Open and of course there is the Centre Court at Wimbledon atmosphere.

Now, fans can add the Alexandra Eala match atmosphere to the vernacular.

The new superstar talent from the Philippines has taken tennis by storm with her rise in the rankings coinciding with the dramatic rise of fan participation. Fans, primarily from her native Philippines, have been attending her matches all around the world with…. enthusiasm.

So what exactly is it like to be at an Alexander Elsa match?

“Uh, it’s noisy,” said Matt Futterman of The Athletic to Tennis Channel’s T2 show “Second Serve” while promoting “The Cruelest Game,” his book on professional tennis. “And I really think it’s noisy in the best way.”

When the 21-year-old Eala plays on the WTA Tour, the court – or now more often stadiums – is packed with fans chanting her name and shouting Laban Alex (Fight Alex), waving the flag of The Philippines and holding signs praising the left-handed superstar. It’s a sensation that has left many observers of the game scratching their heads to try and think if there has been anything like it in professional tennis ever before. It certainly is a far cry from the quiet and reserved atmosphere at Centre Court at Wimbledon.

When Eala played at the Australian Open earlier this year on an outer court with limited seating, it nearly caused a riot. Her presence at events in the Middle East created great atmospheres and her Monday final in Washington, D.C., where she won her first WTA Tour title beating Jessica Pegula in the final, could have been mistaken for being played in Manila and not the capital of the United States.

“I am not a traditionalist when it comes to tennis,” said Futterman. “I love watching the sport evolve. I love it becoming more lively and active. I think tennis gets itself into trouble when it’s a little too precious. And so I love seeing all of these fans.”

“What’s great about Eala,” continued Futterman, “is not only is she bringing a whole country into this sport, she’s bringing in all these people to tennis stadiums who have never been to a tennis match before. But she’s just about the most famous athlete in the Philippines right now, which is not a small country, and has a huge diaspora. So every big city you go to, there is a really sizable Filipino community that is coming out to her matches, and they are coming out with flags, and they’re screaming. Sometimes you’re screaming at the wrong times. Sometimes they’re cheering the opponent’s double fault. They are mostly pretty respectful, but they are bringing life to every tennis tournament that she plays in. They are bringing life to it that just wasn’t there a year ago. And it’s been a real treat to see. Hopefully, we’re gonna see more of it.”

Anticipating the throngs of Filipino fans attending her matches at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada, tournament director Karl Hale pivoted and had the tournament food court offer more traditional Filipino food, such as Adobo chicken. And once again, her presence caused for more packed stadiums and more electric atmospheres.

Eala mania will continue around the world for as long as Eala’s WTA Tour career lasts. Buckle up!

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