Alexandra Eala Fights Back Tears While Thanking Filipino Community After US Open Exit: “Real Privilege to Experience This in a Lifetime”

Alexandra Eala‘s Grand Slam campaign this season ended on Saturday (September 5). Playing in the third round of the US Open, Eala suffered a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 defeat at the hands of home favorite Iva Jovic.

This marked Eala’s third defeat to the American ace, following their meetings in the first round of this year’s Roland Garros and the round of 16 of the Queen’s Club Championships.

Eala played her first match on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. Throughout her campaign at Flushing Meadows, large numbers of fans from the Philippines flocked to the stadium to cheer for their countrywoman.

Eala is grateful for the support from Filipinos who have undoubtedly made her a star on the WTA Tour. She tried to fight back tears while thanking them for their unwavering support after her US Open exit.

It’s indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime. You know, like… Oh God, sorry…

Alexandra Eala said at the press conference

Before her defeat to Jovic, Eala breezed past Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova in straight sets. Eala produced her best Grand Slam performance when she reached the fourth round of this year’s Wimbledon, losing to two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Jasmine Paolini.

Playing on Arthur Ashe, and feeling the support, being in those environments, learning these lessons, and fighting and doing what I love. I’m really happy. I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard… to be able to live this life how I’m living it.

Alexandra Eala added

Eala has already played two tour-level finals. She reached the Eastbourne International final last year but lost the title to Maya Joint. But this year at the Citi Open, she beat home favorite Jessica Pegula to win her career’s first tour-level singles title.

Iva Jovic gets emotional while praising Alexandra Eala’s gesture

Iva Jovic will face another tough opponent in the form of Coco Gauff, who beat Zeynep Sonmez, Paula Badosa, and Cristina Bucsa in the previous rounds. Gauff played all of these matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Although the court for the fourth-round match has yet to be decided, Jovic will only expect to play another match here after making her debut in the thrilling Alexandra Eala clash.

The match, definitely the way it finished, deserved that court… It literally took everything to somehow squeeze my way through that.

Iva Jovic said at the press conference

When Jovic won the last point of the match, Eala, instead of waiting for her at the net, went around the court to congratulate her. Jovic, when asked about Eala’s gesture, got emotional.

It says a lot about her as a person. I’m gonna start crying, but it says a lot about her as a person to be able to do that after that type of match and still come over to hug me and wish me all the best. And even in the locker room behind closed doors… so that just says a lot about her and her character. Yeah, she’s incredible.

Iva Jovic added

Gauff is chasing her second title at Flushing Meadows, as it was here back in 2023 that she lifted her career’s first Grand Slam singles title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka. The 22-year-old, in fact, is chasing her second title of the season in her home Grand Slam tournament.

Also read: Madison Keys Gives Heartbreaking Reality on her US Open Collapse Against Qinwen Zheng