Australian Open 2026: How its popularity has eclipsed Alexandra Illa and Melbourne Park

Quite simply, Ella is a huge star in the Southeast Asian country – a country with limited pedigree on the tennis circuit.

Her upset victory over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek at the Miami Open last year ensured that Ella’s life would never be the same again.

“This week there were some elements that were a bit overwhelming, especially during my training,” Ella said.

“I wasn’t expecting so many people to be there. It’s a learning process. I’m just trying to take it in.”

Ella, a graduate of the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, has long been seen as a trailblazer after she became the first Filipina to win a WTA tournament match in 2021.

In 2022, she became the first to win a Grand Slam junior title by winning the US Open, landing the then-teenager on the cover of Vogue in her home country.

Veteran boxer Manny Pacquiao may still be the country’s most recognizable sports star, but Ella’s exploits mean she is the sporting icon of the next generation.

“She always carries the flag and the country with pride, and that is something that resonates with everyone,” said Amy Fei, a Filipina who traveled from Sydney specifically to watch the movie “Ayala.”

“She became a national champion. Everyone started to stop what they were doing and listen to her games. She dominates the sports news, too.”