Winnipeg Filipino tennis community growing amid Eala-mania

From dawn to dusk, the Garden City tennis courts are filled with more people taking up a racquet. Part of the reason is a 21-year-old tennis star inspiring and making the Filipino community proud.

Earlier this month, on Aug. 3, Alexandra Eala became the first Filipina to win a Women’s Tennis Association Championship, and debuted in the National Bank Open in Toronto.

“Everybody’s playing now because of her. The impact is so big. Everyone is just so proud to be Filipino,” said Jowen Sangalang, Winnipeg North Sports Group president, a group that plays tennis in the Garden City and Sargeant Park area.

“In our community there’s a lot of ‘I want to be Eala. I want to be Alex,'” said Edj Villamar, Winnipeg North Sports Group member.