US OPEN

September 5, 2026

Alexandra Eala

Press Conference

I. JOVIC/A. Eala

7-5, 3-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Great run you have had this summer. Iva was in here talking about how much it meant to her, how warm you were to her on court and also in the locker room as well. Talk about being in that environment and also having a friend on the other side and how that changes the mix of the battle and the defeat.

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think it's -- well, okay, long question. Yeah, I don't think that being friends, you know, affects how much we fight on court or how badly we want it, but yeah, I think it's a part of life, having friends and we're professionals, so yeah, that's kind of it.

Q. Congrats on a really nice run. This was the tightest match you have played against her. What do you think you found tonight, either something you were able to take advantage of in her game or something you were doing particularly well that you felt like maybe you have grown a little bit over the times that you guys have met?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Oh, definitely, I do think I have grown as a player since the last time we played each other.

I definitely think that, you know, this match, I had my chances, and I was able to kind of set myself up for some opportunities, which was great.

Yeah, I'm happy with the match. I think in general, 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.

So, yeah, congrats to Iva for, you know, for pushing through, yeah.

Q. Congrats on the run this year and for your presence, bringing so much pride for the Filipinos here. Next stop for you I know is Asian Games. Can you talk about the decision-making, I think you're skipping the China Open, and to represent the country in the Asian Games.

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yes. Before that, I believe I'll be in Singapore. But yeah, I love playing and competing with the Philippines team and, you know, in the SEA Games, the Asian Games I have also done. I think it's a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time. I think they are really memories that stick with me, and, you know, Asian Games happens once every four years. Yeah, I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff, yeah.

Q. You have had a great run. Congratulations on everything. What have you learned this year, given your evolution through the majors and also winning in D.C.? What did you learn tonight that you need to be working on?

ALEXANDRA EALA: What have I not learned this year? You know, with, I guess, this experience or the experiences that I have had this year, 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. I learn about what effect do my decisions have further down the line.

Those themes stick with tennis, yes, but also in life. So that's what I've learned, short summary of what I've learned past year.

What I've learned tonight, I have yet to process. But I think that what I know for sure is that I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs, through, I guess there were moments I wasn't playing so good and moments where I was playing really good.

What I know for a fact is that I fought, so I'm happy with that.

Q. There were flags in Arthur Ashe from fans, Philippines, you saw it throughout the tournament, as well. What has that support meant to you just to have that, not only throughout this tournament but this year as your star has grown, just from that community?

ALEXANDRA EALA: It's indescribable to, you know, sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It's a real privilege to experience this in the lifetime. You know, like -- oh, God. Sorry. (Tearing up.)

You know, 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. 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 and to be able to live this life how I am living it, yeah.