Queens artist fuels Alex Eala's fan movement with custom posters at U.S. Open
Pau Tiu, a 32-year-old artist based in Queens, has been designing and printing posters supporting Filipino tennis star Alex Eala during the U.S. Open. Tiu's studio, Bad Student, produced signs reading 'LABAN ALEX' that fans displayed at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Eala, who won her debut match Tuesday, faces Oleksandra Oliynykova on Thursday.
Tiu operates Bad Student from a repurposed church space in Queens, where risograph printing—a technique learned during a secret date in Singapore with wife Felize Camille—produces the fluorescent posters. The couple relocated to the U.S. two years ago to marry legally, as same-sex marriage remains unrecognized in the Philippines. Tiu's father first requested an Eala poster after her Wimbledon breakout against Iga Świątek.
Eala's August WTA title in Washington, where she defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, cemented her status as a Filipino sports icon. The diaspora's support has followed her across Toronto, Dubai, and Melbourne, with Tuesday's crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium reflecting that global enthusiasm. Tiu previously printed Knicks posters during the NBA Finals, fulfilling a longtime bucket-list goal of experiencing New York sports culture firsthand.
This story highlights how grassroots fan art can amplify a rising athlete's cultural significance, particularly for diaspora communities seeking connection to home. Eala's success may inspire young Filipino players while strengthening transnational pride, and Tiu's posters demonstrate how individual creativity can shape stadium atmosphere. The piece also subtly underscores how personal freedoms—like Tiu's marriage—intersect with public celebration, potentially broadening conversations about representation in sports fandom.