Alexandra Eala, a 21-year-old Filipino tennis player, has inspired a significant rise in tennis interest and participation across the Philippines, officials and retailers say [1, 2, 3]. Eala, a former US Open girls champion, climbed to 20th in the WTA rankings in August 2026, just over a year after her first Grand Slam appearance at the 2025 French Open [1, 3].
Racquet sales in the Philippines have jumped 66% over the past year, a surge attributed largely to Eala’s growing popularity [1, 3]. Vince Roque, partnerships and communications manager for Decathlon, said his company raced to meet demand by producing timely and relatable content tied to Eala’s latest achievements [1].
Booking tennis courts has become extremely difficult due to increased interest from children and parents eager to train, coaches report [1, 2, 3]. Czarina Arevalo, national girls’ tennis coach for under-14 and under-12 players, called the rise in court bookings "super crazy" and said she never imagined seeing a Filipino in the world top 20 [1].
The Philippine Tennis Association estimates fewer than 1,000 tennis courts exist nationwide, many being shell courts made from crushed seashells, sand, and clay, highlighting limited infrastructure to meet booming demand [1, 3]. Executive director Tonette Mendoza noted that Eala’s success has motivated families, saying, "Maybe the parents of these kids, they’re thinking: Hey, if we do this, maybe they can be the next Alex" [1].
A photo of Eala diving for a ball at Wimbledon inspired nine-year-old Mayumi Stevens, now an aspiring player. Mayumi said, "I felt like, wow, that’s going to be me. I want to be Eala when I grow up" [1, 2, 3]. The enthusiasm also extends to the Filipino diaspora, which numbers 10 million globally and shares a growing pride in Eala’s success [1, 3].
Eala first entered a Grand Slam at the 2025 French Open, a breakthrough followed by rapid ranking gains back to the top 20 by August 2026 [1, 3]. Tennis organizations and retailers continue to respond to the increased demand for courts and equipment as the sport gains momentum nationwide.
