NEW YORK (AP) — The Alex Eala fans came bearing Filipino flags, and wearing hats telling her to fight on ("Laban Alex"). They cheered her sizzling groundstrokes, documented her volleys and serves in photos and video, and in some cases FaceTimed with friends or family.
And this was only at the practice courts.
It was about four hours before Eala was to take the court for her first-round U.S. Open match Monday night, and every seat at the practice court was filled. Many of Eala's fans didn't have tickets for the evening session. But they'd come to see their idol hit some tennis ******* .
It was hardly surprising, given the enormous, ardent, ever-growing fan base that now surrounds the charismatic 21-year-old. This summer has seen Eala beat Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and win her first tour singles ******* le, at Washington. She's at a career-best 18th in the world, and many think she'll continue her ascent.
One of the fans watching on a rainy afternoon was Andrea Belen, at 21 the same age as Eala. Belen, a premed student at New York University, explained that she hadn't been a big tennis fan until Eala came along — someone who looked just like her.
#york #practice #court #first
And this was only at the practice courts.
It was about four hours before Eala was to take the court for her first-round U.S. Open match Monday night, and every seat at the practice court was filled. Many of Eala's fans didn't have tickets for the evening session. But they'd come to see their idol hit some tennis ******* .
It was hardly surprising, given the enormous, ardent, ever-growing fan base that now surrounds the charismatic 21-year-old. This summer has seen Eala beat Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and win her first tour singles ******* le, at Washington. She's at a career-best 18th in the world, and many think she'll continue her ascent.
One of the fans watching on a rainy afternoon was Andrea Belen, at 21 the same age as Eala. Belen, a premed student at New York University, explained that she hadn't been a big tennis fan until Eala came along — someone who looked just like her.
#york #practice #court #first
17 hours ago
