More than just the score – How Alex Eala became the hottest ticket to the Australian Open
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Week one of the Australian Open is coming to an end, but the hottest ticket so far isn’t Carlos Alcaraz, Yannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka. Instead, observers were stunned by the queues to watch world No. 49 Alexandra Eala of the Philippines. Her first-round game was arranged on Court No. 6, leaving many fans disappointed that they could not find seats. Martina Navratilova was among those to criticize the decision, saying: “The organizers need to remember more where the players come from and what the actual fan base is here.” Inside the stadium, the stands were packed with fans holding Philippine flags and cheering loudly for their 20-year-old hero. Although she took the first set 6-0, her opponent Alycia Parks eventually found her groove and eliminated Ella in the next two sets 6-3 6-2. So where does Alexandra Eala come from and how far can she go in the sport? Could her popularity spark a domestic tennis boom? Ben Rothenberg, editor of tennis magazine Bounces, calls Alex Eala “the most popular player in tennis right now.” He talks to the BBC’s Ed Harry about how Eala is catapulted into the spotlight at the 2025 Miami Open, her roots in the sport and how far she can go. Kate Reyes covers the rise of Alex Eala for Philippine sports website Spin.ph, and she discusses why she’s so popular with the public. She also shared her thoughts on what Eala’s success to date means for the future of the sport in the Philippines. Every Monday through Friday, Beyond the Score tells stories from around the world of sports beyond the score. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, from the Australian Open to the Diamond League, from basketball to Formula One. We speak to illustrious athletes such as Ivorian legend Yaya Toure, boxing king Cecilia Brehus and cycling sprint king Harry Lavresson, as well as experts who work behind the scenes, from the referees responsible for VAR to the coaches who keep athletes in tip-top shape. In addition, we have the expertise of the BBC’s top journalists, who share insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. If you have an opinion about the stories we cover, we’d love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk or contact us via WhatsApp: 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information and our privacy statement on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore
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