Felt Like Playing in the Philippines 🇵🇭—Donna Vekić Reacts to Alex Eala’s Massive Fan Support
Donna Vekić couldn’t help but smile after her match against Alex Eala at the 2026 Kooyong Classic in Melbourne—and it had little to do with the tennis alone. The Croatian star joked that it felt like she was playing in the Philippines, as Filipino fans turned out in huge numbers to support their rising tennis hero.
From the opening points, the atmosphere was electric. Every Eala winner was met with loud cheers, flags waved proudly in the stands, and an energy more typical of a home crowd than an exhibition event thousands of miles from Manila. Vekić later laughed about the experience, even joking that maybe Filipino fans would “adopt” her and support her at the Australian Open too.
The moment highlighted Alex Eala’s rapidly growing global following and the passion of Filipino tennis fans, who continue to show up wherever she competes. It was also a reminder of how sport can turn neutral venues into home courts through sheer enthusiasm.
As the Australian Open approaches, one thing is clear: wherever Alex Eala plays, the crowd is never truly neutral—and players like Donna Vekić are definitely noticing 🇵🇭🎾.
