Alex Eala Takes Center Stage in Abu Dhabi
Some matches are entertaining. Others stay with you.
Thursday at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open was one of those days, especially for Filipino fans who filled the stands to support Alex Eala.
You could feel it the moment she walked onto the court. Pilipas shirts, flags, and banners waved quietly in different corners of the stadium. Chants in Tagalog floated through the crowd. Every point she won brought loud cheers. Every long rally made people lean forward in their seats.
It felt less like Abu Dhabi for a moment and more like a small piece of home.
Facing Ekaterina Alexandrova, the highest seed remaining in the tournament, Alex showed heart, composure, and flashes of brilliance. Although her singles journey ended in straight sets, the score did not fully capture what she brought to the match.
She fought for every ball. She stayed present. And she reminded everyone watching why so many Filipinos believe in her.
For many in the UAE, seeing Eala compete at this level means more than tennis. It is representation, and it’s inspiring. It is proof that dreams that start back home can grow on the world stage.
When Alex plays, she carries more than a racket. She carries the pride of a nation.
From Singles Battle to Doubles Brilliance
Alex did not let the singles loss define her day.
Later that evening, she returned to court with Janice Tjen for their doubles semi-final, and this time the energy felt different.
In front of another packed crowd on ADCB Court 1, Eala and Tjen delivered a strong straight-sets win over Cristina Bucșa and Shuai Zhang. From the first game, their chemistry was clear. Aggressive returns, quick movement at the net, and smiles between points told the story of two players who genuinely enjoy playing together.
After the match, Alex shared what made their partnership work:
“We were trying to be aggressive and have fun. When you have a good relationship with your partner, you’re not afraid to go with your gut. If you make errors, it’s okay because you have that chemistry and you’re willing to try what feels right.”
That mindset showed on the court.
The win sent Eala and Tjen into the doubles semi-finals, giving Alex another chance to shine and giving Filipino fans yet another reason to celebrate.
Quarter-Finals Deliver High-Level Tennis
While much of the crowd energy followed Eala, the rest of Thursday’s quarter-finals also delivered exciting tennis.
Clara Tauson advanced after a solid performance against McCartney Kessler. Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek dominated Sonay Kartal, dropping just two games. Hailey Baptiste battled past Liudmila Samsonova in three tough sets. Earlier in the day, Alexandrova continued her strong run by defeating Eala.
With these results, the semi-final lineup was set, promising more intense matches ahead.
A Historic First for Wheelchair Tennis
Away from the main draw, the tournament also made history.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open became the first standalone WTA event to feature wheelchair tennis, launching its inaugural Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation.
Dutch legend Jiske Griffioen defeated María Angélica Bernal to earn a place in Saturday’s final against World No. 1 Yui Kamiji of Japan.
But the impact went far beyond competition.
Griffioen, Bernal, and Kamiji also spent time with Heroes of Hope, the UAE’s non-profit sports academy for people of determination. They brought kids onto the court, shared laughs, and created moments that many families will never forget.
It was a beautiful reminder that sport is not just about winning. It is about connection.
What’s Next at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Friday promises another full day of action:
- 4:00 PM (Stadium Court): Doubles semi-final, Mihalikova and Nicholls vs Eala and Tjen
- 6:00 PM: Hailey Baptiste vs Ekaterina Alexandrova in the singles semi-final
- 8:00 PM: Sara Bejlek vs Clara Tauson
- Not before 7:00 PM (ADCB Court 1): Kenin and Krawczyk vs Alexandrova and Joint in the other doubles semi-final
The tournament runs through 7 February 2026, combining WTA 500 tennis with youth programs and its groundbreaking wheelchair tennis invitational.
More Than Just a Match
For Filipino fans, Alex Eala’s presence in Abu Dhabi already felt like a victory.
Her fight in singles. Her comeback in doubles. The way she acknowledged the crowd. All of it reminded people why she continues to inspire so many.
In a stadium thousands of kilometers from home, Alex made Filipinos feel proud.
