Tennis fans are questioning whether spectators crossed a line in their support for Alexandra Eala at the Australian Open on Monday as the Filipino star sparked extraordinary scenes inside Melbourne Park. The 20-year-old has arguably become the most popular player in women’s tennis already, despite only really being on the international scene for 12 months.
Eala has rocketed up the WTA rankings to World No.49 and has put Philippines tennis on the map. She became a household name last year when she shocked World No.2 Iga Swiatek on her run to the semi-finals at the Miami Open, and became the first player from the Philippines to win a grand slam match at the US Open in August.
Fans of Alexandra Eala were loudly cheering the errors of Alycia Parks during their Australian Open match. Image: Australian Open/Getty
Her fandom has grown so much that spectators packed Court 6 on Monday at Melbourne Park, and hundreds more were turned away when they couldn’t get in. Many suggested Australian Open officials didn’t realise how popular she’d be and should have scheduled her on a bigger show-court.
The fans who did gain access to Court 6 made plenty of noise for Eala, but some felt their actions crossed a line and went against the usual etiquette associated with tennis. Spectators were loudly cheering the errors – and even double faults – of opponent Alycia Parks, which is a big no-no in professional tennis.
Alycia Parks admitted she was rattled by the pro-Alexandra Eala crowd. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Parks admitted she was rattled by the soccer-like atmosphere, and was seen in tears after losing the first set 6-0. But the American completed a stunning comeback to prevail 0-6 6-3 6-2.
“It was very difficult,” Parks said after the match. “I was expecting it, but I wasn’t. She definitely has a good crowd. I just kept telling myself to stay in the zone. I was just so focused on the crowd in the first set, which is why it went the way it went.”
Tennis fans debate actions of Australian Open crowd
On social media, many questioned whether the cheering of Parks’ errors crossed a line. Vision of the crowd erupting when Parks dumped a smash into the net has gone viral, and some of the reactions are scathing.
One person wrote: “It’s too much what the crowd is doing, cheers mid-point and distracting the opponent. It shouldn’t be allowed.” Another commented: “Filipino fans showed massive love for Alex Eala, but remembering tennis etiquette is also very important. Cheering for opponent errors or making noise while the ball was still in play is a big no-no in tennis. Celebrate between points, not during them.”
Alexandra Eala had an insane following at the Australian Open. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Others felt it was “disrespectful” and “classless”, but it appeared to be a lack of awareness rather than a deliberate ploy. One person wrote: “That is how we celebrate and support one of our own in the world stage. Why conform to the standards of people from other countries?”
Eala admitted afterwards that some of the support had been “overwhelming” after her practice sessions were also packed with fans. “It’s a process to take it all in. I think this week definitely there were elements that were a bit overwhelming, especially during my practices,” she said. “I didn’t expect that many people to be there. So it’s a learning process.”