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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Phenomenal athlete: Alex Eala sparks DC Open ticket sales

Phenomenal athlete: Alex Eala sparks DC Open ticket sales

Published Jul 31, 2026 02:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Eala's growing popularity has also affected the whole tournament, with DC Open chairman Mark Ein revealing that demands for the Filipina tennis ace's matches surged, resulting in an 80-percent increase in ticket sales.
Alex Eala (Screengrab from Premier Sports 2/Blast TV)
Alex Eala (Screengrab from Premier Sports 2/Blast TV)
Alex Eala continues to captivate fans with her exceptional performance at the Mubadala DC Open.
Eala's growing popularity has also affected the whole tournament, with DC Open chairman Mark Ein revealing that demands for the Filipina tennis ace's matches surged, resulting in an 80-percent increase in ticket sales.
"I will say, over the last month the ticketing team says at least 80 percent, if not more, of the requests in this tournament are about when is Alex Eala playing?," Ein said.
"Honestly, I think it's more, and they just didn't want to say it was more, but they're, like, virtually all. It's not an exaggeration. That's actually what they tell me,” he added.
Ein also called Eala an icon and a phenomenal athlete, who, for him, is the greatest thing that happened in this year's competition.
"When you look at the amazing players here and how many great stars there are, it says something about Alex's following. Obviously she's been an icon, becoming an icon in the Philippines, but worldwide. So there's obviously Filipinos everywhere,” Ein continued.
"I will say, earlier this year in the early spring our team said, this is a phenomenon that's spreading, and we should try to get Alex to come to Washington,” he concluded. “Having her here is honestly one of the really great things that's already happened this year."
The 21-year-old Eala recently barged into quarters after completing a redemption win against Canadian Leylah Fernandez, a Filipino descent, 6-2, 7-6 (1), in the Last 16.
Eala, currently No. 28 in the WTA rankings, tries to extend her quest for glory when she eyes another stunning win over world No. 10 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarters.

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