Alex Eala, Iva Jovic play US Open exhibition game with their fathers
The Alex Eala-Iva Jovic exhibition match at the US Open became a family affair when their respective dads joined in the fun.
On Friday morning, Aug. 28 (Philippine time), Eala and Jovic took part in Stars of the Open, where players gearing up for the US Open singles tournament played one-set matches for charity. While these matches are still competitive, organizers normally make them more fun by inviting young tennis players from tennis programs to hit some balls with the pros.
After the eighth game in Eala's and Jovic's match, their respective fathers walked onto the hard court, briefly turning the match into doubles.
Their pro daughters noticeably toned down their hits to let their fathers shine. The dads stepped up but fumbled at times, being met each time with cheers and good-natured laughter, especially when Jovic's dad Bojan served a fault, and Eala's father Mike clipped the net trying to return Iva's hit.
Ultimately, Eala came up short, giving Jovic a 6–3 victory.
Jovic secured a 2–0 lead early on in the lighthearted match, with Eala eventually catching up, but not for long. The American then pulled ahead with 5–3, winning the eighth game.
Before their fathers joined in on the fun, a young fan from the Harlem Jr. Tennis and Education Program briefly hit some balls with Eala and Jovic.
The tennis stars' close friendship off the court was apparent during their post-match interview.
"We've been practicing some languages and... I have my phrase down," said Jovic. "Alex, ang galing mo."
"And Iva...Ti si najbolja (You're the best)," replied Eala in Serbian, a nod to Jovic's Serbian parents.
Apart from Eala and Jovic, Stars of the Open also featured matches between Amanda Anisimova and Marta Kostyuk, Flavio Cobolli and Learner Tien, and Arthur Fils and Alex Michelsen.
The exhibition matches were organized by the United States Tennis Association to benefit the projects of its charitable arm, the USTA Foundation.
Eala and Jovic used their match to tune up for the US Open women's singles tournament happening next week.
