- Thousands of Filipino supporters packed Melbourne Park to watch Alexandra Eala, creating unprecedented queues and pressure on event staff.
- Eala lost to Alycia Parks in a comeback 0-6 6-3 6-2, with Parks praised for composure amid hostile crowd noise.
- Organisers admitted the scheduling and crowd management around court six were overwhelmed and said they will learn for next year.
- Eala’s rise — from junior US Open winner to beating Iga Swiatek — has made her a national star in the Philippines.
Filipino support turns Melbourne Park blue, red and white
Alexandra Eala’s main-draw debut at the 2026 Australian Open drew an extraordinary wave of support from the Filipino community in Melbourne. Thousands queued across the grounds for a chance to see the world number 49, leading to long lines outside court six and crowding that organisers later described as a learning moment.
Why fans flocked to see Eala
Eala’s profile has soared since landmark moments such as her 2022 junior US Open title and a shock win over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek at the Miami Open. That success made the 20-year-old a household name in the Philippines — and her pre-tournament news conference was watched online by about 171,000 people, far outstripping many bigger stars.
Alycia Parks fights back amid intense atmosphere
Facing American Alycia Parks, Eala began strongly, taking the first set 6-0. But Parks recovered, taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-2 to claim the win. Parks’ comeback drew praise for her ability to stay focused while playing with a largely partisan crowd chanting for her opponent.
The match scoreline read 0-6 6-3 6-2 in Parks’ favour, and commentators highlighted the American’s mental resilience after a difficult opening set.
Crowd control and scheduling under scrutiny
Many fans and pundits questioned why the Eala–Parks match was scheduled on court six, which holds about 1,500 people. The large Filipino turnout quickly exceeded expectations and created queues that stretched through the grounds. Some spectators who stood for hours were later asked to move as security began clearing areas shortly after play started.
Organisers responded to a fan complaint on X and said they would “take it as a learning” for next year. The scheduling team also waited before assigning Eala’s doubles match with Ingrid Martins to a court, eventually placing it on court 14 with a lighter turnout but visible security presence.
What this means for Eala and the tournament
For Alexandra Eala, the week underlined how quickly popularity can grow. While the main-draw singles exit was disappointing, the support she generated reinforces her status as a national sporting figure for the Philippines. For tournament organisers, the situation highlighted the need to adapt scheduling and crowd management when a player attracts a sudden, large overseas contingency.
Both Eala and Alycia Parks leave Melbourne Park with different takeaways: Eala with a reminder of her growing influence and Parks with a hard-fought win against an opponent backed by an extraordinary atmosphere.
Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c0q45z3qjzlo