Alex Eala navigates nerves, loud crowds on big US Open stage

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, reacts during her match against Mary Stoiana, of the United States, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

MANILA, Philippines — A big crowd descended on Louis Armstrong Stadium for Alex Eala’s US Open first-round match in New York City on Wednesday.

Loud cheers from fans carrying Philippine flags of all sizes and makeshift banners welcomed the Filipino tennis star at the second-biggest stadium in Flushing Meadows.

READ: Alex Eala’s many fans descend on US Open with PH flags and lots of love

With that kind of reception following Eala wherever she goes, the world No. 18 admits she has gotten used to the atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean she no longer feels some nerves.

“It was my first time playing on one of the main stadiums here at the US Open, and it was very loud. And especially when the roof is covered, so that’s something that adds to the atmosphere, but it’s also something you have to navigate,” Eala said.

“There were nerves, for sure. And I’m not really sure if I can pinpoint where they came from, if it’s from the noise or [it being] the first round of a Slam.”

Fans of Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, spell out “GO ALEX” with letters before her match against Mary Stoiana, of the United States, in the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Eala said her goal was to “tune it out” when it was time to lock in, and that helped her cruise to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over home bet Mary Stoiana.

READ: Alex Eala brings gratitude, belief into US Open campaign

” I think with experience, my goal is to tune it out. I’ve had experience with big crowds, especially in the past year. And I think I’ve been navigating quite well within myself to keep the focus and focus on what I need to pay attention to and, you know, points A, B and C.

“And in the end, when you get into the groove, get into the rhythm, we play tennis and a match is a match, whether there are so many people or none. So I think once the players get into that groove, the effect of external factors lessens a little bit.”

Eala has now reached the second round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season, for the second straight year and is looking to go deeper, armed with experience from a strong hard-court campaign in her first full year on the WTA Tour.

“Coming in as a seeded player, and having done pretty good, I would say [in] this swing, American swing, it brings a different vibe. Of course, you’re a little more confident, there are a little more expectations, but I think I handled it. I’ve been handling well,” she said.

Eala, though, remains grateful for the unprecedented reception she has been receiving, saying it “doesn’t get old.”

She battles Oleksandra Oliynykova in the second round on Thursday, Philippine time.