Alexandra Eala walked away disappointed on Saturday night, but it was difficult for the 21-year-old Filipina to view her US Open — or her remarkable rise over the past two seasons — as anything other than another step forward.
Eala fell to Iva Jovic 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a thrilling third-round battle, twice leading by a break in the deciding set before the American fought back.
“I definitely think that this match, I had my chances, and I was able to kind of set myself up for some opportunities, which was great,” Eala said. “Of course there is disappointment in losing, but yeah, trying to see the positive side, I think it was a really good match. I think the level was really high.”
There have been plenty of positives to find lately for the Filipina trailblazer.
Eala began the 2025 season ranked No. 147 in the world. Since then, she has become the first player from the Philippines to crack the Top 100, Top 50 and Top 20, climbing to a career-high No. 18.
She also won her maiden title at DC earlier this summer.
Her progress has also begun to translate to the sport’s biggest stages. After reaching the second week of Wimbledon earlier this summer, Eala advanced to the third round of the US Open, continuing a Grand Slam season filled with new experiences.
“What have I not learned this year?” Eala said. “I’m put in so many situations, and, I guess, so many firsts. With those situations comes new lessons. I learn about myself. I learn about how to act. I learn about what’s the best way for me to handle an obstacle.”
What she learned from Saturday’s three-hour, three-minute battle may take a little longer to understand.
“What I’ve learned tonight, I have yet to process,” she said. “But I think that what I know for sure is that I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs.”
And despite the disappointment, Eala became emotional when reflecting on what it meant to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium with so many people behind her.
“It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime,” she said, tearing up. “Playing on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons, you know, fighting and doing what I love, I’m really happy.”
For a player who was ranked outside the Top 100 less than two years ago, there was plenty to appreciate.
“I’m really lucky to have these opportunities,” Eala said, “and to be able to live this life how I am living it.”
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