Alexandra Eala is now into the quarterfinals at the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Eala has beaten Jasmine Paolini and Sorana Cirstea to reach the last-eight on her debut appearance at the WTA 1000 tournament.
As well as her tennis, a key feature of this run for Eala has been the huge support she has received from Filipino fans.
These fans will likely be in full voice for Eala’s quarterfinal against Coco Gauff, and she has now responded when asked if they can ever have a negative impact on her tennis.
Alexandra Eala responds when asked if her fans can impact her negatively
During her most recent match at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Eala’s opponent Cirstea was evidently frustrated with some Filipino fans who were making noise during the points.
After Eala beat Cirstea, 7-5 6-4, she headed to her post-match press conference, where she was asked about the impact her fans have.
This began with a question about whether Eala believes her fans are the key factor to her winning run.
While she was full of gratitude for her supporters, Eala dismissed the suggestion that they were the main reason why she is doing so well.
“That’s a good question. Obviously their support means a lot to me,” said Eala. “It definitely motivated me in the tight moments. Makes the emotions more intense when I win. But I wouldn’t attribute all of it to them.”
Who wins between Coco Gauff and Alex Eala?
They face each other in the Dubai quarterfinal today
Eala was then asked a follow-up question about whether there were any negative things about having as much support as she does.
However, Eala was clear that she did not think this was the case and instead reiterated that they were not the only reason she was winning, as she spoke about the many times she has played without any crowd at all.
“No, there’s no negativity from the crowd,” answered Eala. “I think I take it all in with a spoonful of gratitude, like I always say.
“But what I was saying earlier is I wouldn’t attribute the winning side to them. I think whether they’re there or not, I’m going to fight till the end and I’m going to do what I can to win.
“I’ve not always been a competitor who’s been put in night sessions on center court every single time. I’ve been playing tennis for so many years and competing for so many years. I’m also used to playing in front of no crowds.
“Although this is a learning experience, I’m still, I want to say, relatively in the earlier phases of my career (smiling). I’m doing my best to enjoy. I hope the feeling is reciprocated by the crowd. It just creates an amazing atmosphere, yeah.”
Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world
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Alexandra Eala suggests if beating Coco Gauff would be her biggest ever win
Eala reached the Miami Open semifinals last year, and she will be looking to match this in Dubai.
Standing in the way of Eala is world number four Gauff, who had to save three match points in her latest match against Elise Mertens.
Eala and Gauff have played doubles together before, but they have never faced each other in a singles match.
When her upcoming quarterfinal was brought up in the press conference, Eala was asked if this would be the biggest win of her career if she were to beat Gauff.
“It would definitely be up there if it were to happen,” said Eala. “But like I said, win or lose, I think the match would be a great experience for me.”
Eala and Gauff will be the third match on the center court at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday, February 19.
They will follow the other quarterfinal between Amanda Anisimova and Mirra Andreeva, which could be tense due to a previous fallout.
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