Alex Eala soaks in overwhelming fan love at US Open

Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala might have exited the US Open early, but she did so by making history as the first Filipino tennis player to have claimed a major main draw singles win at the Open era.

The unprecedented achievement surely came with unprecedented love not just from Filipino fans but also from tennis purists around the world.

Eala soaked in that experience, deeply grateful for all the love she has received.

"US Open 2025, what an experience," wrote Eala in an Instagram post early Saturday in Manila.

"I’ve never in my life felt so loved on a tennis court, and for that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

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Eala became the first Philippine player to win a Grand Slam singles match after pulling off a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) comeback thriller against world no. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark on August 25.

Three days later, the 20-year-old exited the last major of the year after falling to Cristina Bucsa of Spain in the second round, 4-6, 3-6.

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"I wished I could’ve gone deeper this week, but it wasn’t meant to be," said Eala in the same Instagram post.

"I’ll be back stronger, but for now, it’s back to work! Salamat (thank you), New York."

With her first round win, Eala bagged $154,000 or an P8.7 million prize money.

That victory also bumped her up from 75th to 70th in the latest WTA live rankings early Saturday.

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