Applauded by fans throughout the week, Alex Eala not only enjoyed overwhelming support from the Filipino crowd in Washington, D.C., but also earned high praise from Mubadala DC Open Chairman Mark Ein after capturing her first WTA 500 singles title.

Before Eala addressed the crowd during the trophy ceremony, Ein highlighted the growing popularity of the 21-year-old Filipino tennis star, saying she had become one of the tournament's biggest attractions.

According to Ein, Eala was not only winning matches but also winning over fans, with her rising profile drawing significant interest even before the tournament began.

“A few weeks before the event, our ticketing team called and said, virtually all of the requests about players were about Alex Eala,” Ein said.

“And boy, it was great to have you and your following here at our tournament this year,” he added.

Ein also lauded Eala's remarkable championship run, which included victories over Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka, and top seed Jessica Pegula.

“And this was not an easy road this week. First round, you beat an Olympic gold medalist, you beat our defending champion, you beat two top players. And Alex, you deserve this title so much,” Ein said.

The tournament chairman concluded by referencing the Filipino phrase "Kapag Lumago, Hindi Na Hihinto," which was printed on Eala's Nike shirt during the tournament.

“I know earlier this week you were wearing a Nike shirt with a Filipino expression, translated, that said, ‘Once it grows, it can’t stop.’ And you are growing right here before our eyes, and I know you can’t be stopped,” he said.