Dubai holds significant memories for Jasmine Paolini, a player who has made remarkable progress in women’s tennis. In February 2024, during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Paolini secured her first WTA 1000 title, a win that marked the beginning of her journey towards Grand Slam success.
Following her victory in Dubai, Paolini made notable strides by reaching consecutive finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. This achievement made her the first player to reach the finals of these two prestigious tournaments in the same season since Serena Williams did in 2016.
Despite still grappling with the fast surface in Dubai, the championships bring back fond memories for Paolini. During a recent media roundtable, she expressed her admiration for rising star Alexandra Eala, a player who has begun to reshape the landscape of tennis in the Philippines.
Eala’s debut match in Dubai was scheduled for Sunday evening, yet eager Filipino fans began arriving at the stadium as early as 11 am. Paolini recognizes the significant impact Eala has had, making history as the highest-ranked player in the Philippines after a breakthrough performance in 2025.
“It’s essential to have players from diverse backgrounds in tennis. Someone like Alexandra Eala is a tremendous asset for the sport,” remarked the world number eight.
She noted the growing enthusiasm for tennis among Eala’s supporters, stating, “It’s wonderful to see so many fans at tournaments typically less crowded. The Abu Dhabi Open was brimming with spectators for Eala’s matches, and the excitement outside the court in Doha was palpable.”
Interestingly, Paolini’s first opponent in Dubai will be Eala, who currently holds the world number 40 ranking. The Italian believes that Eala’s success could significantly contribute to the popularity of tennis in Asia.
“Asia has a vast population, and the potential for expanding the audience for tennis is immense. Eala’s achievements can inspire more people to get involved in the sport,” she explained.
Paolini enters the match against the young Filipina as the clear favorite. However, Eala has proven she can compete with the top players in the sport, having achieved impressive victories against Grand Slam champions such as Jeļena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Świątek, earning her a semifinal spot at the Miami Open last year.
The anticipation for Eala’s match in Dubai is high, with expectations of a lively crowd. A Filipino expat, Nestor Odarve, expressed the community’s support, saying, “She is a superstar in the Philippines. No matter the outcome, we will always be here cheering for her.”
As the tennis community looks forward to the upcoming matches, the presence of athletes like Eala underscores the sport’s growing global reach and appeal.