Alex Eala has been a rising star on the tennis scene for a couple of years, but she is still searching for her first career title. That hasn't stopped her from gaining a growing following of fans who seemingly turn out for every tournament that she is involved in. That fact has recently led Eala to compare herself to Latin music icon Bad Bunny.
Speaking with Ben Rothenberg of Bounces after being asked about fans who watch her play no matter where that is happening, Eala said, "I mean, I guess it’s like it’s a concert. Like I flew, for example, to Sweden for the Bad Bunny concert. And if Bad Bunny didn’t feel well that day (and didn’t perform), I’d be disappointed, yeah, but at the end I’d have to deal with it."
Most tennis fans have seen Eala play and heard her speak after matches, so one can give her the benefit of the doubt when, off the page, she comes across as a bit arrogant. What she told Rothenberg likely wasn't meant to be taken that way.
Alex Eala could be the Bad Bunny of tennis
Did she refer to herself as a destination vacation, the way Bad Bunny is? Yes. Bad Bunny will often do residencies in cities, meaning people have time to book plane tickets, go to the show (or shows), and be highly entertained. He is not a win-or-lose situation, whereas Eala's matches are.
Some might bristle if an athlete said that they know they can just show up and people will spend lots of money to see it. That's what happens with the highly entertaining Bad Bunny. Someone might book a ticket to a tournament, only to see Alexandra Eala get bounced out in the first round. The experience is not the same as a concert.
Bad Bunny isn't going to turn in a truly bad performance. Eala might because she has the kind of opponent that Bad Bunny doesn't, at least not in concert.
The truth is, the tennis player does put people in the seats, and tournaments want and need that to happen. She is the main draw of an event, even though she hasn't yet won one. That will probably happen in the future, maybe the near future, and what happens then? She is likely only going to have more of her fans attend tennis matches.
With a player like Eala, it gets a little complicated. She is great for the sport currently because she is getting attention based on where she is from, the Philippines, and her talent. The drawback is that maybe she never sustains a long-term run in the top 10. Other players might be more worthy of people watching matches and spending money. For now, Alex Eala is must-watch tennis for many.
