SINGAPORE — Perhaps there’s no greater phenomenon in professional tennis than the popularity of Alex Eala.

From New York to Paris to Melbourne and London, this 21-year-old Filipina has been turning stadiums into something magical with her combination of skills, grace, beauty and humility. Everywhere she goes, the crowd follows. And that’s something I wanted to personally find out when I boarded a three-hour flight to this bustling city on a slow Sunday morning for the WTA 500 Singapore Tennis Open. 

I haven’t stepped on the Singaporean soil but the Eala Magic can already be felt.

At the airport, an immigration officer — I think he’s in his 30s — inquired about my business in Singapore. My reply was short: To cover Eala. He looked me in the eyes, flashed a smile before saying: Oh, good luck to Alex! Then, he stamped my passport. 

That’s it. No further questions. No long follow ups. Just say the magic words and you’re free to go.  

Inside the plane, two women sitting in the business class were chatting about Eala and her chances to win her second WTA 500 title. 

The lady on the left, a rich-looking madam with a pearl necklace, was saying: My husband bought me a business class ticket because it’s cheaper daw than to fly to New York or London. Alex has a really, really good chance of winning in Singapore and I want to see her do that.

I just smiled. Then went on to my assigned seat.

Before deplaning, a young girl was crying. Probably it’s her first trip to Singapore with her family and she’s begging her mother if they can swap their itinerary from Universal Studios to Singapore Open to see her hero, Eala, in action. 

At first, the mother said no. But shortly before landing, she finally caved in and her hard no suddenly softened to “okay, let’s see what I can do.”

Indeed, Eala has been sweeping sports-loving Filipinos off their feet. In this time and age of flood control scandals, weekly oil price hikes and non-stop typhoons, Eala offers a breath of fresh air, making Filipinos forget the problems they are facing with her powerful serves and megawatt smile.

It’s funny how her tennis journey brought her back to Singapore. 

The Lion City was the first to see her rise from a little girl holding a tennis racket that is bigger than her forearm to becoming an international tennis sensation. The first time she competed here was 10 years ago when she joined other promising Asian players in the WTA Future Stars. She bagged the Li Na Award, a recognition of her outstanding spirit, positivity, and sportsmanship both on and off the court.

That’s why during the welcome party for Singapore Open competitors, Eala was giddy. She’s happy to find out that her product line was sold out within a few hours at the Nike flagship store with fans forming a long queue along Orchard Road just to get their hands on the hottest merch in town. 

She also assured a couple of Filipino journalists that she’s in great shape for a deep run in the Singapore Open while still having enough fuel to capture a historic gold medal for the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games.

After all, the country has yet to win a title in the singles event of the Asian Games since 1962 and if Eala secures it, it will be a perfect gift to her countrymen who have been storming the heaven with prayers every time she steps on the court.

She, however, entertained only three questions. Just three.

After that, she was whisked away and disappeared into a thick crowd full of professional players, their coaches, team members, organizers and guests. 

Well, I understand. She’s now a star. But the class, grace, humility and, yes, unique Filipina beauty are still there. She’s still the Alex Eala that we loved since she was a teen.

Good luck, Alex! Bring home the crown and put a smile on the face of that little girl on the plane who’s willing to forego what could be a memorable trip to Universal Studios just to see you live in action.