Amanda Anisimova is playing on American soil. But when she steps onto the court against Alex Eala in Cincinnati, she already knows one thing: the crowd may not sound like a traditional home crowd.
That is the remarkable reality surrounding Eala’s meteoric rise.
Ahead of their highly anticipated third-round clash at the Cincinnati Open, world No. 10 Anisimova acknowledged the massive following that has accompanied Eala around the tour and said she is prepared for a lively atmosphere—even if many of the fans are cheering for the Filipina.
And that raises an irresistible question:
Has every court Alex Eala plays on suddenly become a Philippine home court?
Anisimova knows what home support feels like. As an American competing in Cincinnati, she would ordinarily expect the crowd advantage to belong overwhelmingly to her.
Against Eala, however, the script could be very different.
Filipino fans have repeatedly turned up in numbers wherever the 21-year-old Filipina plays, waving Philippine flags, roaring after winners and transforming neutral venues into scenes that sometimes resemble a Manila homecoming.
Washington saw it.
Toronto saw it.
Now Cincinnati could be next.
Eala’s traveling home court
Eala’s rapidly growing fan base has become one of the most compelling stories accompanying her breakthrough season.
Her historic Washington triumph, where she defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula to become the first Filipina to capture a WTA Tour-level singles crown, only intensified the phenomenon. Reuters reported that Filipino supporters were a noticeable presence during that title run, turning Eala’s matches into celebrations of Philippine pride.
The effect has stretched far beyond one tournament.
As Eala’s victories piled up, so did the Philippine flags in the stands.
Suddenly, an athlete from a country without a long tradition of producing elite professional tennis stars was drawing some of the loudest and most passionate support on the women’s tour.
That makes Tuesday’s showdown particularly fascinating.
Anisimova may have the American passport and the geographical home-court advantage.
Eala may have the crowd.
And Anisimova appears ready for it.
Rather than complain about the prospect of Eala receiving stronger support, the American said she hopes to feed off the atmosphere and described their first career meeting as something she expects to be fun.
Welcome to ‘Eala territory’
It speaks volumes about how quickly Eala’s stature has changed.
Not long ago, she entered major tournaments as a talented young player hoping to prove she belonged.
Now opponents know exactly who she is.
They know about the victories.
They know about the confidence.
And increasingly, they know about the army of Filipino supporters waiting in the stands.
Eala’s following has become so distinctive that the phrase “home court” almost seems irrelevant.
Miami, Washington, Toronto or Cincinnati—the location changes, but the soundtrack increasingly stays the same:
“Let’s go, Alex!”
Philippine flags rise.
Filipino voices grow louder.
And another tennis stadium begins to feel a little like Manila.
Against Anisimova, however, Eala will need much more than crowd energy.
The world No. 10 possesses devastating power and an aggressive baseline game capable of ending points quickly. Eala will have to absorb that pace, extend rallies and use the movement, anticipation and fearless shot-making that have fueled her extraordinary season.
But there is something different about playing when thousands believe another upset is possible.
Eala has already beaten some of the biggest names in women’s tennis during her breakthrough campaign, including Pegula during her historic Washington title run.
Now another Top-10 star stands across the net.
And this time, Anisimova may discover something Eala’s previous opponents have already experienced:
You may be playing Alex Eala in America—but once the Filipino fans arrive, it can suddenly feel like you’re playing her in the Philippines.