US OPEN

August 28, 2026

Alexandra Eala

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I remember your first match here last year where it was against Clara Tauson. Such a packed court out on Grandstand. So going from that to what you're experiencing now, you were headlining the Stars of the Open. How have you experienced that journey from the US Open last year to now?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Well, I think I have experienced so much growth in the past year, and so many milestones in my career. I think there are so many lessons, in particular in terms of, you know, I've gotten to work closely with so many amazing tennis players. I've gotten to experience more of their work ethic obviously being in this environment a lot more. I've gotten to compete against the best of the best a lot more frequently.

So, yeah, I think that I'm lucky enough to have experienced so many matches such as that one in US Open last year where the court was packed and the atmosphere was amazing against very formidable opponent. So super lucky, yeah.

Q. What do you remember from the match last year at the US Open against Tauson, in general?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I remember that I was 5-1 down in the third, and it was very tough comeback for me. I know she was dominating me for a lot of the match. Yeah, I think it was definitely one of my most memorable matches of that year.

Q. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think on your shoe there is a custom commemoration of your title in D.C. What was your reaction when you saw that, and what emotion does it evoke to see your achievements on the shoe?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I walked out yesterday in a gift from Nike that I received. It's a shoe to celebrate my first title in Washington. It was so personalized, and had all these super-sick details.

It's crazy, because they also gave me a gift when I won the 2022 juniors US Open. So it's kind of a similar moment, and I really appreciate that from them, because, you know, we have a great relationship, and I love the team at Nike so much.

Yeah, it's super sentimental.

Q. Was the 2022 juniors US Open your first time to New York? What was your impression of the city on your first trip? What has your adaptation to it been like?

ALEXANDRA EALA: That was not my first trip to New York. If I recall correctly, I played an 8 and Under tournament here in New York. I think in the old US Open site. It was a little mall tournament. I remember that was the very first time we snuck into the grass courts and I hit with my brother for 15 minutes on there.

So I've come back after that in 2019 to play my first juniors, and then again 2022. So it's nice to revisit this place and experience it a little bit differently in different stages of my life.

I definitely think New York is like what it's known for, the hustle and bustle. It's a very busy city, but I would love to have more time to explore the different boroughs. It's all Midtown and the courts and Midtown and the courts. If I do have more time, I would love to experience more of it.

Q. Reflecting on your win in 2022 in the juniors, when you come back to Flushing Meadows, what specific memories or feelings return when you step onto the ground?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I mean, it's just excitement. I'm very excited. When I go in the locker room, I have the same locker. Not as back then in 2022 but as the recent years. And, you know, to hit the practice courts, and to see very familiar faces, it's nice.

Q. Maybe it's a slightly weird question, but curious, not just in the Philippines, how aware you are of the impact you're having on tennis. Like I think everybody in the media is aware that put your name in the headlines for something and it will get ten times the hits. It's a game changer for the sport in terms of economy, and that's a lot on one person's shoulders. I wondered how aware you are of that, how you experience that.

ALEXANDRA EALA: Well, I think at the forefront of everything is gratitude. I'm very grateful for the support, right, that my fans give me and that my supporters give me.

But in terms of what I contribute to the tennis, every single WTA player and every single ATP player has contributed to the world of tennis and its history just by being here and by putting in the work every single day.

So although there are certain things like the media and the things that you mentioned that make me stand out, I think that I'm a drop in the ocean when it comes to these things. And the more I'm on tour, the more I learn about the history.

Of course this year, having had the pleasure to play doubles twice with Venus, I have learned a lot about her mentality on court, but also things about how she championed equal prize money with her sister, and things like that. Maybe the regular player on tour who's not so exposed to the media, what they've had to work towards and what they've had to work through to get to where they are now is so inspiring in itself.

So there are so many stories behind the scenes that you might not even realize. So that really keeps me humble. It keeps me motivated to work harder and stay among these incredible people.

Q. It was announced I think earlier today or last night that there is going to be a match, an exhibition match between you and Janice Tjen in the Philippine Arena, which potentially could break a record for the most fans in a match. I think it's like 55,000 can fit. When did you first hear about this concept, why were you on board for it, and what do you expect playing in terms of playing in an arena that fits that many people?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I've never even been to the Philippine Arena. I don't know what to expect except for great competition. Like I said, it's a way to celebrate culture, to celebrate tennis, and for people to have fun. It's nice. I think it's going to be a really great experience for people to watch tennis live.

A lot of my matches are, 99% of my matches are overseas, so for me to be back home and playing in front of the people in the Philippines, it's going to be super special.

Q. You talked about wanting to explore the city. When you do have time in a foreign city to explore, what types of things do you like to do? Are you a museum person, would you like to see a show?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I'm definitely a restaurant person and a shopping person (laughter). Those are my two. Or maybe cafes, bakeries. I love that. I'm such a foodie. Maybe it's the Filipino in me.

Yeah, I have even here in New York some spots that I go really every year, yeah.

Q. How does Filipino food here compare to home?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I have not tried the Filipino food here. I hear a lot of the sponsor here in Queens, and it's quite far from where I'm staying. It's very difficult, because I try to stick to what's close by, what's easy, accessible. But like I said, if I had more time, I would love to.

Q. Is there a place in New York that you prefer?

ALEXANDRA EALA: No, I think New York, like you said, like I said, it's a mixing pot, you can find everything here and of really good quality.

Q. Do you think you might have benefited from being the younger sibling of an older sibling who is an accomplished player? Do you think if those roles were switched if maybe it would have helped him?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Oh, I definitely benefited from being the younger sister. I have the best big brother in the world. He's so nice. Yeah, I will never be able to beat him in tennis. I think even if I'm No. 1 in the world, I'll always have this disadvantage.

I think if I were the older sister, I don't think I would be as nice as he is to me. He's definitely, I have to say, he's definitely the nicer one between me and him, between the siblings.

Q. How would you describe the way your belief in yourself has grown with what you've learned about what you can accomplish?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I think I have a pretty strong baseline of belief in myself, and of course it's very normal that it fluctuates. There are moments where it's more difficult to believe in yourself, and there are moments where it's much easier.

But I think my baseline has remained quite steady, and maybe on an incline, but a very slow incline. I think that's what's important is to have that foundation of I know what I can do, I'm strong, who I am as a person, what my character is. Then of course the results may vary, depending on the time of the year and how you're doing at the moment, yeah.