How Alex Eala separates her friendship with Iva Jovic from the court: 'We're professionals'
Alex Eala noted that her friendship with Iva Jovic stays off the court, emphasizing that being close friends doesn't change how fiercely both players fight to win.
On Saturday night, Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York hosted a three-hour US Open third-round marathon between the two tennis players. Jovic walked away with the 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win, but the post-match exchange truly captured the crowd. Eala walked straight over to Jovic’s side of the net for a warm embrace, which Jovic admitted she was almost brought to tears by Eala's sportsmanship.
"It says a lot about her as a person to be able to do that after that type of match and still come over and hug me and wish me all the best, even in the locker room behind closed doors," Jovic said during her press conference. "It just says a lot about her and her character; she's incredible."
When asked about battling a good friend on such a big stage, Eala said the relationship doesn't soften the competition.
"I don't think that being friends affects how much we fight on court or how badly we want it," Eala said. "But yeah, I think it's just a part of life having friends. And, you know, we're professionals."
Evolving on the global stage
Reflecting on her tightest battle yet against Jovic, Eala noted that she has "grown as a player" by creating key opportunities throughout the match, choosing to focus on the high level of play rather than the disappointment of the loss.
When asked what she has learned through her matches this year, she said each experience serves as fuel for her personal evolution.
"What have I not learned this year?" Eala reflected. "With these experiences that I've had this year, I'm put in so many situations and so many firsts, and with those situations comes new lessons. I learn about myself, I learn about how to act, I learn about what's the best way for me to handle an obstacle... What I know for a fact tonight is that I fought, so I'm happy with that."
Looking past the hardcourt season, Eala revealed she is prioritizing representing the Philippines at the Asian Games later this month.
"I love playing and competing with the Philippine team," Eala said. "In the SEA Games, the Asian Games I've also done. I think it's a really fun environment and I love being with the team. The Asian Games happens once every four years and I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff."
She added that seeing Filipino fans waving flags at international stages, including the Arthur Ashe Stadium, meant everything to her.
"It's indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words," Eala said. "It's a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime... Playing on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons and fighting and doing what I love, so I'm really happy. I'm very lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard, and to be able to live this life how I am living it."
Jovic, who is World No. 14, is now set to face fellow American player Coco Gauff in the fourth round, while Eala is set to have an exhibition match with Indonesia's Janice Tjen in her homecoming event at the Philippine Arena in December.