{"id":847074,"date":"2026-08-05T14:34:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/847074\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T14:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:34:12","slug":"filipino-tennis-player-alex-eala-gears-up-for-toronto-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/847074\/","title":{"rendered":"Filipino tennis player Alex Eala gears up for Toronto tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cEala-mania\u201d has gripped the world after Filipino tennis player Alex Eala\u2019s historic win at DC Open earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Eala is now gearing up for the National Bank Open in Toronto, and the excitement is building, with the rising star drawing a sellout crowd for her opening match.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old spoke to OMNI News on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of her opener on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe past 24 hours have been crazy, and, you know, I\u2019m really, really excited to be here in Toronto for the first time,\u201d Eala said. \u201cI hear there\u2019s a huge Filipino community, so I can\u2019t wait to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Monday, Eala rallied past Jessica Pegula to capture her first career WTA Tour title. The win made Eala the first Filipina to win a singles title on the tour.<\/p>\n

Eala has fans not just in Toronto but around the world who are watching her matches at every tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you so, so much,\u201d she said to her fans. \u201cYou guys make my job super, super fun, and I hope you enjoy tennis. I hope you guys enjoy competition, and, and thank you for following on my journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

The No. 25 seed Eala is set to face Alycia Parks at centre court in Toronto on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

With files from The Associated Press<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAlex Eala of the Philippines waves to the crowd at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved <\/p>\n

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