MUCH has been said about the popularity of Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala.
The highs and lows, the doubters that come with every rising athlete’s journey.
Like many up-and-coming players, her chances have been shaped by both setbacks and breakthroughs.
READ: Alex Eala drawn against world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini in Dubai R32
But for loyal Pinoy tennis fans, the impact of the 20-year-old goes far beyond wins and losses.
As Eala made her debut in Dubai Duty Free —her sixth tournament of the year —she stepped onto one of the UAE’s most anticipated sporting stages, an event that has hosted the ATP for 34 years and the WTA for 26.
And for the first time in decades, a Philippine flag stood tall among nations long represented in the tournament’s history.
For many Filipinos watching, that image alone was enough.
Threads users were quick to celebrate the brief yet “heartfelt” moment.
User jell_she_goes said: “Year 18 of watching Dubai Open. Year 1 of seeing the Philippine flag raised,” as she uploaded her own shot of the scene.
Another user r0mannz added: “I worked in Dubai Duty Free in 1993 and have been part of the Dubai Tennis Open crew in 1994. Each year, we always watched it. This is the first time in 33 years that the Philippine flag has been raised. I wish I'm still in Dubai to watch this. We moved to New Zealand 21 years ago. Rooting for Alex and grateful to God for her presence. You can get a Filipino out of the Philippines but you can't stop a Filipino from being one in heart.”
User ian.rinosa also weighed in: “I was there wayback 2017, never have I imagine Philippines will be represented there.”
Eala now heads into the Round of 32 against world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, but regardless of the result, her presence alone has already made hearts full for her countrymen.
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