Alexandra Eala has described the Australian Open crowd as ‘heart-warming’ after she exited the Australian Open to Alycia Parks.
It was a very good start from the Philippine as she took the first set 6-0 against the American but would only win five games after that in her Australian Open defeat.
It was a packed court six as Eala’s popularity continues to grow which showed as there was a pulsating atmosphere in Melbourne.
After her defeat Eala admitted she is hoping to learn from the defeat and described the crowd as ‘heart-warming,’ “I think it’s only normal that with a loss comes disappointment and being upset. But then again it’s another opportunity for me to take and learn and grow as a player,” Eala began her press conference by saying.
“Yeah, it was so heart-warming. That’s one of the things that makes a loss like today a little bit harder is I know a lot of people were rooting for me. But then again Alycia played really well. And you know I just hope that the support continues with the losses along with the wins. I think that would really touch me.
“But then again, the fact that everyone came out and really squeezed into that cozy court, I really appreciate it. I felt so loved. Even when I was 5-2 down in the third, you know, still felt the love. So I’m really appreciative and super thankful.”
Seeing such huge crowds on smaller courts can be a little over-whelming for someone like Eala who is only 20 years of age.
In her press conference Eala admitted it’s still a process that she is taking in and is looking to learn from these circumstances for the future, “Yeah, it’s a process to take it all in,” Eala admitted.
“I think this week definitely there were elements that were a bit overwhelming, especially during my practices. I didn’t expect that many people to be there. So it’s a learning process, like anything. You know, losses is part of the learning process. The trainings are part of a learning process. So I’m just trying to take it in.
“I’m still young, 20, so learning how to deal with all of this attention, but then at the same time being grateful.”
It’s not just in the stadiums that Eala is increasing in popularity, it’s also online with Eala’s pre-tournament press conference gaining more views than the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.
Although there are claims that Eala is in a league of her own when it comes to popularity the Filipina doesn’t think that she is, “I wouldn’t say so,” Eala stated.
“I guess, I haven’t really thought about it. I haven’t seen those numbers. So, then again, like I said in the last press conference, taking everything with a spoonful of gratitude. I’m nowhere near the leagues of, of course, the greats, Djokovic, and then now Sabalenka and Alcaraz and all of these people. I have so much respect for them. I think everyone does.
“But yeah, I like to think that I have a following for a reason. I like to think that the impact that I’ve had and the platform that I’ve built has a positive effect on a certain demographic and my demographic. Yeah so, I mean, I guess this is one of the moments that I can reflect on what this means for Philippine tennis. I’m the only Filipina in the draw this year. I’m the only Filipina that’s ever been in the draw, I think. So there are positives to take away. Like I said, so much gratitude and super thankful.”
