Capping her selfie “Coming for you NY” in an Instagram story posted last Saturday, Filipino tennis sensation will begin her United States Open campaign, starting in the women’s mixed doubles today and the the singles competitions for the championship on Thursday, August 27.
The country’s pride enters the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event as Number 18 seed following her third-round exit from the 1000 Cincinnati Open.
Once again, expected to watch her compete at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York is a huge Filipino crowd who will hoot for their idol as she battles the world’s top netters on the hardcourt.
Currently ranked world’s No. 20, Eala will be partnering first with Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) No. 4 Félix Auger-Aliassime of Canada against the Ukrainian-French tandem of Elina Svitlona and Gaël Sébastien Monfils.
This will be followed with her matchup against American standout Iva Jovic in the Stars of the Open exhibition event on August 27.
Tournament organizers announced that the Open’s main draw matches will run from August 30 to September 13.
In the meantime, Eala was asked in a media interview which Nation Basketball Association (NBA) or Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player she compares or likens herself.
The 21-year-old from Quezon City unequivocally picked Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark.
“Let me preface by saying that I don’t think I know enough about the NBA or WNBA, but I would be remiss not to choose Caitlin Clark. She’s amazing. I think she’s insane. Hey Caitlin! I’m Alex, nice to meet you,” she enthused with candor.
Similar to Eala in Philippine tennis where she recorded many firsts, the 24-year-old Clark is a history-maker herself in the WNBA.
The country’s top tennister sports a WTA 500 Mubadala D.C. title while Clark owns a 2025 Commissioner’s Cup (WNBA mid-season tournament) title.
Still, it’s worth to note that the Indiana guard has been hailed as Rookie of the Year and is a three-time All-Star player as she posted the single-game assist record with 19 in 2024 while also becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double.
Just a few days ago, Clark also became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 1,700 points, 400 rebounds and 700 assists.