Alexandra Eala has won over fans across continents, and by now, that much is hardly surprising. The young Filipina trailblazer has built a loyal following on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, with supporters rallying behind her as she continues to break new ground for Philippine tennis. But one of her most enthusiastic admirers may be the most delightful of all — the mother of fellow WTA player Desirae Krawczyk.
It is not every day that a player discovers her fan club extends right into the locker room’s extended family, but that is exactly the case for Eala. According to Krawczyk, whose Filipino roots come from her mother’s side, her mom has become thoroughly charmed by the rising Filipina star — so much so that even a four-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion sometimes has to compete for attention at home.
Krawczyk shared the story on a recent episode of “The Player’s Box” podcast, which she co-hosts with fellow Americans Jennifer Brady, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula. There, she revealed with a laugh just how deep her mother’s admiration for Eala runs.
“She’s crazy about Alex,” Krawczyk confessed.
That devotion, it turns out, has been impossible to miss over the past year. Krawczyk recalled how it first became obvious during the US Open last summer, where Eala collected her first Grand Slam main-draw win, and then again more recently at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. In both moments, Eala was not just drawing the attention of tennis fans in the stands, but also winning the affection of a mom who had fully embraced her role as cheerleader.
“She’s like ‘I’m going to come watch her when she plays on Thursday [against Coco Gauff],’” Krawczyk said. “And I was like, ‘Mom, I’m going to be playing on Thursday.’ She’s like, ‘Oh, oh, yes, you too. Yes, yes. I’m going to watch you too!’”
For Krawczyk, the moment was too funny not to share.
“And I was like, ‘What? Mom, what are you doing?,’” Krawczyk added, laughing.
The story only got better when the tour reached Indian Wells, a meaningful stop for Krawczyk given that she was born in nearby Rancho Mirage. Home tournament or not, it seemed Eala’s popularity in the Krawczyk household remained untouched. If anything, her fan status had only grown stronger — and this time, it came with a distinctly Filipino menu.
“She’s like, ‘I’m gonna make her pancit,’ which is a famous noodle dish in the Philippines, and then lumpia, which is like these egg rolls,” Krawczyk said. “I told Alex about it, and she’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I would love that.’ And if I tell my mom that, my mom will probably make like three big bowls of noodles.”
It was the kind of story that instantly warmed the room. Eala, already admired for her steady rise and calm presence on tour, suddenly became the star of an almost too-perfect off-court subplot: a fellow player’s mom planning a Filipino feast in her honor. It was not about rankings, draws or results, but about the kind of affection that athletes inspire when they carry themselves with heart and authenticity.
Krawczyk’s co-hosts certainly saw the upside. Rather than worry about who was getting more love in the Krawczyk household, they quickly agreed that any homemade pancit and lumpia would be worth celebrating — especially if leftovers were involved.
For Eala, who has become a symbol of pride for many Filipinos, the story offered another reminder that her impact stretches well beyond the match court. She is not only drawing crowds and making history, but also winning over families, kitchens and dinner tables along the way.
And if Desirae Krawczyk’s mom is any indication, Eala’s fan base may already have found the perfect recipe for support: equal parts admiration, laughter and a generous serving of pancit.