MANILA, Philippines —Alex Eala remains hungry for a breakthrough as she aims for her first women’s Grand Slam singles main draw win at the US Open, set from August 24 to September 7.
The 20-year-old Filipino tennis ace made her main draw debuts this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but a singles victory has remained elusive.
Eala lost to 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, last July 1. In May, she dropped a three-setter to Emiliana Arango in the French Open, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.
While her dream semifinal run in the Miami Open marked a breakthrough in her pro career, Eala continues to push for more.
“There’s still a lot for me to achieve. I think there are a lot of big tournaments lined up, not just the US Open so I hope to play well there and of course try to get my first Grand Slam main draw win,” Eala said during her meet and greet with Globe on Friday.
Currently ranked No. 56 in the WTA, Eala will compete in two WTA 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati, a WTA 500 in Monterrey, and another in New York as part of her US Open build-up.
She’s also scheduled to play in events in China and Hong Kong later this year.
The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles title when she ruled the 2022 US Open Girls.
She recently reached the final of the Eastbourne Open, where she fell to Australia’s Maya Joint, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10).
For now, Eala will enjoy her short vacation in the country before flying to Canada as part of her build-up ahead of the US Open
