Photo credit: Alex Eala

After a summer slowed by injury, Alex Eala is stepping onto one of tennis’ biggest stages — the main draw of the US Open. For the 20-year-old Filipina, it is not just another tournament, but a full-circle moment. Ten years ago, she lifted the junior trophy at Flushing Meadows. This time, she returns as a professional, ready to test herself against the world’s best from August 25 to September 7.

Currently ranked world No. 70, Eala’s rise has been marked by perseverance and a quiet determination that has carried her from the junior ranks to the global spotlight. Though the Philippines counts more than 115 million people, she is the first Filipina to break through on this scale in the sport. “The only thing I can give back to my country is to inspire,” she said, reflecting on the weight and pride of her journey.

The US Open is more than just another tournament for Eala. While she has no home event to play in, New York offers something close. The city’s vibrant Filipino community often fills the stands with flags and cheers, giving her a sense of home away from home. One day, she hopes the dream of playing a professional tournament in the Philippines becomes a reality.

Eala also finds herself among a new wave of young global talent making their mark — Canada’s Victoria Mboko, Brazil’s João Fonseca, and Russia’s Mirra Andreeva among them. Together, they represent a generation reshaping tennis with fresh energy and international reach.

For Eala, though, the US Open is more personal. It is the culmination of a decade of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter. And when she walks onto the court in New York, she will carry not only her own ambitions, but also the hopes of a country that has been waiting for this very moment.