THREE matches in, and Tagalog has already echoed three times all across Dubai.
For the latest episode in this run, it came at 3:30 a.m. in Manila, 11:30 p.m. in the UAE.
And Alex Eala, naturally, knew how to thank her “best” fans, live and online.
"Salamat sa pagpupuyat," she said with a smile in her interview after downing world No. 32 Sorana Cirstea. "Tara, uwi na tayo."
READ: Alex Eala sends Cirstea packing, books Dubai quarterfinals spot
Her now-signature legion of on-site supporters proved crucial, lifting her at key moments, as some of the world’s best struggled against the energy of the young Filipino crowd.
Eala, of course, wouldn’t have it any other way.
"Super special [feeling], every round is such a battle and so filled with tension. So I'm really happy with how I performed and I'm really happy to be able to share it with all of you," she said.
Alex Eala para sa bayan
Even as the spotlight gets brighter and brighter, the Philippines' pride knows the experience isn’t just hers, it’s for every kababayan watching tennis at this level for the first time.
"I'm aware of what happens over here. It's basically the same thing I want to imagine. The waves of support have really just made every single match all the more special. And it's so difficult to describe the emotions and the actual experience of playing in front of this crowd. So I'm really grateful to be here," she said.
Now marching into the quarters against Coco Gauff, ranked fourth in the world and also her former doubles partner at last year’s Italian Open, Eala is brimming with excitement.
As she put it, "I think I'm in a good path if I continue [playing] like this. The next match will be great, I am looking forward to it."
"Coco is such an amazing person, we tend to forget that she's just a year older than me, but she's a great role model for so many. So I'm really excited for that match."
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