Feeling at home miles awayEala counts on fans in Indian Wells debutMANILA, Philippines — Filipina Alex Eala marches into another “home turf” when she makes her highly-anticipated debut in the prestigious Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas) today at the massive Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. California boasts the biggest population of Filipinos across the states with around two million, and that presence is tipped to jolt Indian Wells. Eala also enjoyed similar support during her campaigns in Manila, Auckland, Melbourne, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, making her feel at home even when she’s thousands of miles away. Fans packed the practice venue, braving the scorching sun, to get a glimpse of the world No. She’s the face of Philippine sports now,” an Eala fan, clad in “Pilipinas” shirt and holding a tennis banner for Eala, told Indian Wells officials.

Source: Philippine Star March 07, 2026 01:31 UTC