MANILA, Philippines — With sold-out arenas and Filipino fans turning her matches into homegrown celebrations, Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala is increasingly drawing comparisons to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Eala, 21, is set to make her debut at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, where anticipation is already building among Filipino fans expected to pack the stands.
The World No. 20 admitted she never imagined being compared to the eight-division world champion, whom she considers a trailblazer for Filipino athletes.
“[Manny] Pacquiao is such a sporting legend for us Filipinos, and he has done a lot for us athletes to pave the way. I mean, it never really crossed my mind while watching his fights back home that one day I would be compared to him,” Eala said during the Cincinnati Open press conference.
“I think the feeling that Pacquiao gave to the Filipinos is great to have someone rally over,” she added.
Eala has experienced a similar outpouring of support, particularly during her recent campaign at the 2026 Canadian Open in Toronto, where Filipino fans packed the stadium and transformed her matches into a sea of Philippine pride.
The Filipina recalled how Pacquiao’s fights once served as a unifying moment for Filipinos, saying she feels her own journey is beginning to create a similar sense of togetherness.
“When he had fights, everyone is so excited. It’s a chance for people to come together. My journey has similar things,” Eala said.
Still, the young tennis star was quick to stress that she has a long way to go before she can be mentioned in the same breath as Pacquiao.
“I mean, it’s very flattering to be compared to him, but at the same time, it’s two unique journeys, it’s two different journeys,” she said.
“One, I don’t think one takes away from the other. I am still very, very far from the levels of Pacquiao, but I think they both have good set of characters.”
Eala will open her Cincinnati Open campaign against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, ranked No. 77 in the world, in the Round of 64 on Saturday (Manila time).
