MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala relished a lighthearted exhibition match against American friend Iva Jovic at the “Stars of the Open” ahead of her 2026 US Open campaign.
Although the Filipina lost to Jovic, 3-6, in their one set friendly match on Friday morning, she welcomed the breather ahead of her upcoming Grand Slam campaign in Queens, New York.
“It’s a great way to practice against a great opponent. Amazing court and it really gets the atmosphere of the match, so I think the way I approach these things is to really focus on myself,” Eala said.
“It’s a good exercise between fun and really locked in. You know, in matches normally, I’m go, go, go…it’s nice to let loose and have a little fun,” she added.
After the match, Jovic and Eala had a moment to show their strong ties of friendship after complementing each other using their mother language.
“We’ve been practicing some language, and I have my phrase down,” Jovic said. “Alex, ang galing mo! (Alex you are so great).”
Eala then replied in Serbian, “Ti si najbolja! (You’re the best).”
In her return at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Eala will open her US Open campaign against a qualifier after being seeded No. 17 in the women’s singles draw.
Jovic, on the other hand, is seeded 14th.
At the US Open last year, Eala made a milestone for Philippine tennis after stunning 14th seed Clara Tauson, making her the first Filipino to win a singles main draw match at a Grand Slam event.
However, Eala exited in the second round after bowing to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
