Alex Eala’s return to the U.S. Open comes with a new ranking, greater expectations and an expanding global spotlight. But when asked what she seeks out in New York, the Filipino tennis star gave an answer familiar to many Filipinos: restaurants, bakeries, cafes — and, if time allows, Filipino food in Queens.
“I am such a foodie,” Eala said Aug. 28 during her U.S. Open news conference at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. “Maybe it’s the Filipino in me.”
The 21-year-old Eala returns to Flushing Meadows as the No. 17 seed in women’s singles after a year that included her first WTA Tour title in Washington and a rise to a career-high No. 18 in the world. She said the past year has brought significant growth, both in results and in learning how elite players prepare and compete.
“I think I’ve experienced so much growth in the past year, and so many milestones in my career,” Eala said. “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.”
Eala’s first U.S. Open main-draw match last year, a three-set loss to Denmark’s Clara Tauson, remains among her most memorable matches. She recalled falling behind 5-1 in the deciding set before mounting a late fight in front of a packed Grandstand crowd.
This time, Eala’s U.S. Open schedule began with an appearance in the Stars of the Open exhibition, where she faced fellow young standout Iva Jovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The invitation placed Eala among the tournament’s featured players before the women’s singles main draw.
Eala said returning to the tournament carries a mix of familiarity and excitement. Her connection to the venue reaches back to the 2022 U.S. Open junior tournament, where she won the girls’ singles title. She said she still sees familiar faces around the grounds and appreciates the sense of returning to a place that has marked different stages of her tennis life.
Nike also presented Eala with a custom pair of shoes commemorating her title at the Mubadala DC Open, where she became the first Filipino player to win a WTA Tour singles title. Eala said the gift reminded her of a similar moment after her 2022 junior U.S. Open victory.
“It’s crazy because they also gave me a gift when I won the 2022 Juniors U.S. Open,” Eala said. “It’s kind of a similar moment. … It’s super sentimental.”
Eala said she is grateful for the expanding attention around her career but views herself as one part of a broader tennis community.
“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,” she said. “I’m a drop in the ocean when it comes to these things.”
She also spoke about the perspective she has gained through her growing experience on tour, including playing doubles with Venus Williams and learning about Williams’ advocacy for equal prize money.
Eala will return to the Philippines on Dec. 8 for a homecoming exhibition at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where she will face Indonesian player Janice Tjen. The event, “Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate,” could set a record for attendance at a women’s tennis match.
“I’ve never even been to the Philippine Arena,” Eala said. “For me to be back home and playing in front of the people in the Philippines, it’s going to be super special.”
For now, Eala is focused on a familiar New York rhythm: the courts, Midtown and, she hopes, eventually a meal in Queens.
“I hear a lot of the [Filipino food] spots are here in Queens,” she said. “If I had more time, I would love to.”
