Alex Eala of the Philippines reacts against Clara Tauson of Denmark during their Women’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP
After pulling off a seemingly improbable comeback, Alex Eala slumped to the court in tears, soaking in another historic victory in the US Open main draw Monday morning (Manila time).
On the brink of another first-round loss, trailing 5-1 in the third set, Eala proved that anything is possible in front of the predominantly Filipino crowd at the Grandstand court in Flushing Meadows and millions more, who stayed up until the wee hours of Monday morning to watch her play.
HIGHLIGHTS: Alex Eala vs Clara Tauson – US Open 2025 first round
“I would say that anything is possible and to dream big. I’m very ambitious, and although there was no one from my country who did this before or was successful in tennis,” said Eala post-game. “I took inspiration from anyone I could from my family, from my brother. So just be ambitious, dream big, and know that you can do it.”
The 20-year-old Eala remained optimistic and never wavered despite falling into a deep hole and even when she blew a lead in the tiebreak to withstand world No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), and advance to the second round.
“Definitely hard to see the positives when you’re down 5–1, but that’s what I tried to do see the positives, find solutions. And obviously, with all these people backing me up, it’s hard not to stay in the moment and get their energy,” said Eala.
Eala became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era following first-round exits at French Open and Wimbledon.
READ: Alex Eala ‘over the moon’ after historic US Open breakthrough
“I think it comes down to experience. Although I’m at the start of my WTA career, I’ve played so many matches. Tight matches and tense moments can happen at any level. I’ve been playing since I was 4, I’m 20 now, so that’s 16 years of experience,” she said.
“Whether at the junior, 10-and-under, or professional level, I think that mental strength and focus are the keys to coming out victorious in those moments.”
Coming back from a shoulder injury, Eala relished her thrilling three-set win with her Filipino fans rallying behind her.
“It means a lot. I think you could see by my reaction. I think everything just made it so special from who I was playing, a really good player, first round, first main draw, US Open. Coming back from an injury and obviously all the people who watched today,” Eala said.
“The crowd was amazing. Everything in general just made the atmosphere so exciting, but at the same time, so tense. That’s also part of why I’m so happy.”
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