Alexandra Eala’s popularity has soared at the beginning of the 2026 season during the WTA Tour’s run in the Southern Hemisphere.
Fans have flocked to see Eala in Melbourne, Abu Dhabi, Manila, and Doha as the Filipina star reached a career ranking high of World No. 40.
Eala will now play at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she has been given a first round match with Hailey Baptiste.
The 20-year-old qualified for the event through her ranking, although she would have very likely been given a wild card were it not for so many high-profile withdrawals from the event.
The director of the Dubai Tennis Championships has explained why Eala is so popular across the Middle East.
Alexandra Eala told why she is so popular in Dubai
Eala’s appearance at the Dubai Tennis Championships is expected to sell even more tickets, and the tournament director thinks he knows why.
“I think it will be the same. It was very big, the crowd was massive, and the atmosphere was incredible for Sania [Mirza],” said tournament director Salah Tahlak.
Mirza played the event in 2005 as a wild card and reached the third round as thousands of Indian fans watched her matches.
Tahlak is expecting the same level of euphoria for when Eala takes to the court for her first round match with Baptiste.
“I expect the same kind of atmosphere for Eala when she plays her first match here. She (Eala) is a fantastic young player. She is very positive and very enthusiastic. So we are hopeful.”
Tahlak believes Eala’s popularity in the Middle East stems from how many Filipino natives work in places like Dubai.
“We have three thousand Filipino staff in Dubai Duty Free. And such a Filipino presence in Dubai and the UAE in general. I think it’s close to one million, the number of Filipinos we have in the UAE now.
“It’s a very big community. So it’s important because we are creating loyalty among fans. You create knowledge and awareness about the player, and they follow the player.
“She is an Asian player who is making a mark on the world stage. So when a rising Asian star arrives here for this tournament, it will only upgrade the tennis and our tournament.”
Eala has been given a very winnable run in Dubai for her very first appearance at the WTA 1000 event.
Alexandra Eala explains why it is so special to play in Dubai
Eala’s popularity tour has been one of the brightest sparks of the WTA Tour following the Australian Open.
The Filipina is excited to be playing in Dubai and is expected more raucousness from her avid fans at the event.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the 20-year-old revealed: “It means a lot to me (to be playing in Dubai).
“There are a lot of Filipinos in the Middle East and in Dubai. That’s why it’s going to be special for me to play here.”
Eala starts the Dubai Tennis Championships as the World No. 45, but a few wins could help her re-join the top 40 once again.