SENSATIONAL SCENES AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN AS UMPIRE TRIES TO KEEP 'PARTY COURT' QUIET

Cries of ‘Alex, Alex, Alex’ reverberated around Melbourne Park on Monday afternoon.

While the Australian Open’s ‘party court’ is often the loudest corner of the tennis precinct, today, the decibels went through the roof, as 20-year-old Filipino star Alexandra Eala took on American Alycia Parks.

Thousands of fans had turned up at Melbourne Park hoping to catch a glimpse of the world No 49, who has risen to become one of the most exciting young prospects on the WTA Tour.

But much to their disappointment, there was heartache for the 20-year-old, who suffered a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat by Parks.  

It has been a sensational 12 months for Eala, who notably became the first female star from the Philippines to rise to No 50 in the world. This week at the Australian Open, she is also the only Filipino in the draw for the women's singles. 

Her rise up the rankings came after her sensational run at the Miami Open in 2025, where she swept aside Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Later in the year, Eala advanced to reach the final of the Eastbourne Open and would also notably stun 14th seed Clara Tauson during the first round of the women's singles at the US Open.  

Many tennis fanatics have been fervently following the 20-year-old’s progress. And on Monday, thousands of supporters queued up outside Court Six, hoping to get a seat to watch Eala play.

Many were unfortunately turned away from the arena due to the limited seats on offer. But it is clear that the supporters would have filled out one of Melbourne Parks' show courts. Many who were unable to gain access instead gathered to watch the big screens in Melbourne Park's Garden Square.  

Inside the stands at court six, the passionate supporters cheered wildly: ‘Let’s go Alex, let’s go.’ Many also waved Philippine flags aloft whenever Eala won a point. 

The support was outstanding. But at times, the chair umpire on the party court struggled to control the audience and was forced to remind fans to remain quiet on multiple occasions. 

Half-an-hour into the match, the fans broke into a state of delirium, as Eala closed out the first set 6-0, forcing Parks to slam a ground stroke into the net. 

‘Yeah, it was so heart-warming,’ Eala said on the crowd's support. ‘That’s one of the things that makes a loss like today a little bit harder.

‘The fact that everyone came out and really squeezed into that cozy court, I really appreciate it. I felt so loved.’

Despite struggling to adjust to the partisan crowd in the first exchange, Parks was brilliant throughout. 

She showcased an incredible mental fortitude to shut out the noise from the partisan audience and claw her way back into the match. 

In the second set, the world No 99 got off to a flying start, taking a 3-0 lead before Eala broke back to level at 3-3. Parks found another gear, winning the final three games to take the second set 6-3.

After the match, the world Parks said that the noise from the crowd had ‘put a fire in her’.

‘It was very difficult,’ Parks said. ‘I was expecting it. She definitely has a good crowd. I just kept telling myself to stay in the zone.

‘I was just so focused on the crowd in the first set, which is why it went the way it went,’ she added.

‘I don't know what my record is with crowds against me. It definitely puts a fire in me.’

Parks put her foot on the gas at the start of the third set, breaking her opponent to win the opening game with a booming forehand winner. 

Eala would save a break point at 4-2, but was unable to fend off against the advances of Parks, ultimately making an unforced error to concede the break.

Parks made no mistakes in the final game to wrap up the match 6-2. The American will now advance to face off against 19th seed Karolina Muchova in the second round.

Despite the loss, Eala reflected on being the only player from the Philippines in the women's singles draw. 

‘I’m still young, 20, so learning how to deal with all of this attention,’ she said. 

‘I guess this is one of the moments that I can reflect on what this means for Philippine tennis.

‘I’m the only Filipina in the draw this year. I’m the only Filipina that’s ever been in the draw, I think. So there are positives to take away.

‘Like I said, so much gratitude and super thankful.’

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2026-01-19T15:01:20Z