MANILA – With the steady rise of Alex Eala in the international tennis scene, more Filipinos are embracing the sport and filling the stands wherever she competes.
Filipino fans have been known for creating some of the most passionate and electric atmospheres in sports, like basketball, volleyball or football.
Unlike those sports, tennis comes with a unique set of unspoken rules and traditions that shape how players and spectators alike experience the game.
The country's first-ever WTA ranked player, Dyan Castillejo, explained why tennis calls for a calmer atmosphere compared to other sports.
"It's unlike basketball where you cheer throughout the point or volleyball, like while the point is ongoing, which you cheer. So in tennis, just like golf and some other sports, you have to wait till the point is over."
"We can understand how there's excitement in the emotions felt pag medyo exciting yung point pero kailangan kontrolin. Pwedeng reaction like, ah ganoon lang. Pero hindi pwede yung waaah, ganun. Kasi it's really very distracting not just for the player that you're cheering for, especially for the kalaban," she said.
Fans are discouraged from cheering or clapping when a player is getting ready to serve and when the ball is already in play.
The crowd can make noise and show love for their player only after a point has been awarded.
"So there's only 20 seconds in between points. So that's the time na pwede mag-cheer. So parang courtesy yun not just for the person you're rooting for, but also for the kalaban," Castillejo pointed out.
"We understand that the Filipinos are super excited to watch tennis. It's something new. And of course, the support for Alex is amazing. Sana we can give courtesy to both players na we cheer in between points," she added.
It's also not advisable for spectators to cheer when a player commits an error like serving a double fault, hitting the ball wide or missing a volley.
"It's really not in good taste to cheer for the errors of your opponents, especially mga double fault. Because unless, you know, it's a good shot, it's an unforced error, we try not to clap for them," Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Executive Director Tonette Mendoza said.
Castillejo, who competed for the country in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, shared her experience as a former professional tennis player.
"If you're cheering against me, it's very bothersome. But for some players, it gets them going, right? But you'll often see on the court, like I think we've seen some of the opponents of Alex, they've actually told the umpire to please ask the crowd to, you know, to be a little calmer during the points," she said.
"So you have also seen the umpire warn the audience. But there's only so much the umpire can do. A spectator can only be taken out of the stands I believe if it's only super rowdy na nag-cacause ng disruption," Castillejo explained.
The unspoken rules and traditions for tennis are not just about the cheering and noise, but also include limitations on the movement of spectators.
Fans can only go in and out during changeovers or after every odd-numbered game in a match when the players take a 90-second rest period.
Spectators are also not allowed to stand up when the ball is in play, as it may distract players who are supposed to keep their eye on the ball.
"It's not like the other spectator sports [where] you can come in when you want, you can stand, you can make noise. So it's actually a very traditional sport, and it's observed around the world," Mendoza said.
"Even abroad, the tournament is the star. So even if you're a VVVIP, I think you have to wait for the changeover to enter the court," she explained.
Fans are also advised to put their mobile phones in silent mode and avoid flash photography, since it can also distract the players during the match.
In the end, these unspoken rules aren't about limiting fans—they're about ensuring an environment where players can perform at their highest level without distractions.
"Well, it's always nicer for a tennis player 'pag maraming nanonood. It adds to the atmosphere, it adds to the adrenaline, it adds to the energy, it adds to the emotion. As against playing na walang nanonood, then you have to really motivate yourself," Castillejo said.
Several top-ranked tennis players have talked about the passion and enthusiasm of Filipino fans, especially when it comes to cheering for Eala.
Aside from praising Eala for her maiden WTA title, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula was grateful to see the amount of support the Filipina and the sport as a whole have been getting.
Eala took down Pegula in the 2026 Mubadala DC Open final on Tuesday to get her first WTA title.
"It's amazing that you guys showed up and again, to all the Filipino fans that came out, you are helping grow tennis around the world. I appreciate that being a female athlete and being in tennis, we love to see that grow," Pegula said on Tuesday.
The American likewise thanked the thousands of Filipinos who also supported and cheered for her, even following her podcast after the DC Open final match with Eala.
In February, World No. 4 Coco Gauff took notice of the outpouring of support and thanked the Filipina tennis ace for bringing a “new demographic” to the sport.
"I know you're mostly supporting Alex, but I have to say it is great to be on a crowded court. I've played this tournament for many years and to see the stadium full means a lot," Gauff said.
"I know sometimes it's tough when you're playing against a ‘home crowd.' But I think that it's great for the sport so keep being enthusiastic and keep rooting for your player," she added.
Commentators and analysts have taken notice of the “Eala effect,” which was evident with the crowds packing the stands during her matches all over the world.
With Eala showing no signs of slowing down, her growing fanbase will get into tennis while rallying behind the Filipina in her journey.