Alex Eala fails to keep control in decider vs friend Jovic in US Open

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to USA’s Iva Jovic during their women’s singles third round tennis match on day seven of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP)

Alex Eala took a seat at the table to again face the world media on Sunday, this time to do the losing player’s interview.

That pretty, baby face she once described as having ‘chubby cheeks’ tried very hard to put up that elegant smile. Those eyes, usually sun-bright, were a bit gloomy.

She would later show how she felt in general during the tail-end of a press conference that didn’t even take six minutes—a mere speck of time compared to what she had to endure just minutes ago on the biggest US Open stage.

READ: Alex Eala on US Open loss to Iva Jovic: ‘I left everything out there’

“I think it’s just a part of life, having friends (you lose to),” Eala said after making a third round exit when good friend Iva Jovic rallied and showed the Filipina superstar the door with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 thriller of a win carved out in a more than three hours at Arthur Ashe in Flushing Meadows, New York.

“I don’t think being friends affects how much we fight, how bad we want it,” Eala said. “We’re professionals.”

There was evident dejection in Eala’s face when she stepped off the court to a standing ovation from a sell-out crowd that witnessed a classic between two rising talents, as television cameras followed her all the way to the corridors leading back to the locker room.

She had her chances after all.

Eala had a break point to go 5-2 up in the third set, only for Jovic to fight back to forge a 4-all tie before the American came up with a finishing kick that left an entire country trying to find out what went wrong.

READ: Alex Eala mania heads to Singapore Tennis Open next

“It took everything (I had) to get through that,” the 18-year-old Jovic would later say. “From losing my earrings, falling flat out on the floor, (having) cuts on my knees, (a) mental breakdown. Literally everything.”

“I honestly don’t know what to think after that,” she said. “The level (of play) was absolutely incredible from both sides.”

Jovic advanced to face fellow American Coco Gauff for a place in the quarterfinals. And having played to deafening roars in facing Eala two times this week—one in an exhibition—could certainly help her moving forward.

“That’s what you want,” Jovic said of the throng that has followed every Eala match. “I don’t care if they’re cheering for me, against me. I don’t care who they support, there’s so many people there.

“It’s the biggest stadium in tennis, so I’m just really grateful to have been a part of it.”

It was heartrending defeat for the 21-year-old Filipino to take, as she was trying to replicate a fourth round appearance she had at Wimbledon after she bundled out defending champion Iga Swiatek.

READ: Alex Eala on upcoming Asian Games stint: ‘I love being with PH team’

“I had my chances, set myself up for some opportunities, which was great,” Eala said. “I am happy with the match. In general, there’s disappointment in losing, but on the positive side, the level (of play) was really high.”

The early exit still had its silver linings for the Filipino, who can improve on her world No. 18 ranking—still the highest achieved by any Southeast Asian—pending results of other players.

“Congrats to Iva for pushing through,” said Eala, who showed genuine class when she crossed to Jovic’s side of the net to congratulate her friend after the smoke of the battle had cleared.

“What I have learned tonight I have yet to process,” Eala said. “But I left everything out there tonight, I fought. So I am happy with that.”

And then she showed her emotions.

“It’s indescribable, the support. How it makes me feel. it’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime,” Eala said before slightly tearing up. “Playing on Arthur Ashe, feeling the support, learning these lessons, fighting and doing what I love. I’m really lucky to be able to work this hard and live this life.” INQ