Alex Eala opens up about tough loss at the US Open: ‘I think I played really well’

Filipino tennis superstar Alex Eala admitted the difficult time she had following her tough loss at the US Open earlier this year. In an interview with former world number one and five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, she opened up how she dealt with the loss and the pressure that comes along with it.  

Alex lost against her friend, Iva Jovic, in the third round of the US Open, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. This was her best finish at the tournament following her second round exit in 2025.

“I had a tough loss here in the US Open. I think I played really well and I had my chances to win–– I definitely had my chances to win,” she shared.

She expressed how difficult it was for her following the loss in a very close match but still very much satisfied with how she played. 

“I had a very difficult time after the loss, especially the first few moments after but then you know. As time went by, I just looked at my team and I’m so proud of the work that we’ve put in. I know we’re on a good path and I think it’s the belief, it’s the self-belief, it’s the belief that my team has in me,” she said.

“The way I see it, it’s so much better to lose having those chances–– on Arthur Ashe, third round of US Open, than in a 25K, middle of nowhere,” she added. 

Maria asked her in the same interview about the pressure of performing better as she is the first Filipino to achieve such a feat in the professional tennis scene. She acknowledged the amount of pressure but rather than seeing it in a negative light, Alex chooses to use it to improve her craft.

“It can get heavy, it can and it definitely comes with pressure. One thing about this whole journey of support that I’ve been getting is I understand the weight that the representation holds and I know that there’s a big audience that looks up to me,” she admitted.

“But, I guess, it forces me to look inward as well and I’ll die on a hill saying that you need to be genuine. So that makes me look at myself and be like I want to be the best version I could be of myself, you know? So that I’m genuinely a good example for whoever looks up to me,” she maintained.

“You know, I try to do my best and represent my culture and these people–– these lovely people–– the way they deserve to be represented,” she ended.

Meanwhile, Alex is set to return to the WTA circuit this month where she’ll be playing at the Wuhan Open where she will be seeded.