Filipino teenager Eala enjoys her day in limelight at Abu Dhabi Open while Osaka swept aside by Collins
The loudest and largest support on Day 2 of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was not reserved for Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion and one of the biggest stars in world sport.
Instead, it was the world No 187 – competing in just her ninth WTA Tour tournament – who was the star attraction for many fans yesterday.
She was cheered on by hordes of supporters, was stopped for selfies and autographs wherever she went, and even met with, and received flowers from, her nation’s ambassador. That’s what comes with being the rising star and top-ranked tennis player from the Philippines while competing in a country with a large Filipino community.
Only 18 and still in the infancy of her professional career, Alexandra Eala is not accustomed to this sort of treatment and attention, but she’s certainly been soaking it all in this week.
“It’s definitely quite new for me but, in the end, I have to enjoy it,” she told The National. “I don’t know for how long I will get this attention! But I definitely view it as a strength. People have come out to support me and want me to win – maybe as much as I want to win myself.
“During the match, I try not to think about it, just focus on every point, but it’s nice to see that people are backing me.”
Eala received a wild card to compete in Abu Dhabi and was drawn against a tough first-round opponent; Magda Linette was ranked No 22 as recently as last month, is a twotime winner on the WTA Tour, and reached the Australian Open semi-finals last year.
Still, Eala gave a good account of herself, going toe-to-toe with her vastly more experienced opponent in a close first set, before Linette pulled away in the second to win 7-6, 6-1.
Eala reserved special thanks for the fans who turned out to support her during her match and throughout her few days in Abu Dhabi. “There is a huge Filipino community here and they’ve embraced me very well. I’m really thankful for them. I know a lot of them took time off work to support me, so I’m super happy,” she said.
Along with Eala, Osaka was also eliminated in the first round yesterday, the former world No 1 going down 7-5, 6-0 to American
Danielle Collins. Osaka, returning from 15 months away, has been unlucky with her draws so far this season. The Japanese star has faced top players early in the three tournaments she’s played, and contested a close first set with former world No 7 Collins before fading.
Wild card Eala gave a good account of herself in a close first set before going down 7-6, 6-1 to the more experienced Linette