Alex Eala reflects on growth over the past year ahead of US Open return

Alexandra "Alex" Eala has experienced plenty of growth over the past year.

From career milestones to facing some of tennis’ biggest names, the Filipina star has grown with every match and she is now ready for another US Open run.

"I think I've experienced so much growth in the past year and so many milestones in my career. I think there's so many lessons. I've gotten to work closely with so many amazing tennis players," Eala said in the pre-tournament press conference.

"I've gotten to experience more of their work ethic, obviously being in this environment a lot more. And I've gotten to compete against the best of the best a lot more frequently."

Eala made history in the 2025 US Open, overcoming a 5-1 deficit in Set 3 to complete a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11) win against Clara Tauson in the opening round, becoming the first Filipina to win a Grand Slam in the Open era.

Before that tournament, Eala was ranked No. 75 in the world.

Since then, she has climbed to a career-high No. 18, which she achieved just last Monday—days before her return to New York.

Eala credited that rise to a year’s worth of growth and the experience of facing several of the biggest names in the sport.

Of the current Top 10 players, Eala has faced eight in a span of just six months. She beat Coco Gauff in the Indian Wells Open in March before ousting Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina in the Berlin Open and dethroning Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon.

During her title run at the Mubadala DC Open, Eala stunned Svitolina in the quarterfinals and outlasted Jessica Pegula in the final. Those wins brought her total victories over Top 10 players to nine since the 2025 Miami Open.

READ MORE | Alex Eala's biggest upsets: Her wins over the world's Top 10 Players

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

—JKC, GMA News