EVEN before she could hit a ball at the BNP Paribas Open, Alex Eala is already commanding attention in the California desert.
Fresh off the release of the official draw which gave the Filipina a first-round bye as the tournament’s No. 31 seed, Indian Wells’ website rolled out a feature that welcomed Eala ahead of her main-draw debutint the prestigious WTA 1000 event.
Writer Chris Oddo described Eala as “one of tennis’ most delightfully unkept secrets” and already “a household name in the sport,” citing her “electric game, engaging personality, and the passion of her fanbase.”
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The buzz was evident as early as last weekend at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where Eala held her first training session. Practice Court 6 turned into an impromptu showcase as fans flocked to catch a glimpse, some angling through the fences of adjacent courts, others filling nearby seats.
Oddo noted that the energy didn’t fade after practice.
“After her practice session on Monday (there were two, spaced out by an hour break for lunch), a large group gathered and chanted Eala's name as she moved across the player's lawn and passed into the player's lounge,” he wrote. “It’s the new reality for the rising talent. The Eala effect is real, and growing.”
On the court, the 20-year-old awaits the winner of the opening match between Dayana Yastremska or Zhang Shuai for her Round-of-64 match.
Eala will also compete in doubles, teaming up once more with world No. 18 Iva Jovic, her partner at the ASB Classic where they reached the semifinals. The pair open their campaign against Hailey Baptiste and Jelena Ostapenko.
She hasn’t played a match yet, but in the desert, Eala is already blooming.
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