Alex Eala shares her thoughts after questions about ‘special treatment’ come up following US Open schedule changes
Alex Eala has responded to claims that she’s getting “special treatment” at the US Open after being scheduled to play on a bigger court than some Grand Slam champions.
So far, Eala has sailed through the first two rounds without dropping a set, beating Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova. Now, she’s gearing up for an exciting match against WTA number 14 Iva Jovic. This will be her toughest match yet, and there’s been some buzz around the build-up to it.
Since becoming one of tennis’s brightest stars, Eala has received a lot of support. Just last month, she won her first WTA singles title at the Washington Open, making headlines for the huge impact she’s having on the sport. At the Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event, her match against Alycia Parks sold out quickly, and even a food vendor at the venue had to change their menu to cater to her big Filipino fan base!
Because Eala has such a large following, she’s often placed on the bigger courts at tournaments, which has caused some debate—especially at the US Open. She played her first two matches on Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-biggest court there, while former US Open champ Iga Swiatek played on the smaller Grandstand court. Some people called the organizers “disrespectful” for giving Eala a bigger stage than a Grand Slam winner.
When asked if she feels she’s getting special treatment, Eala was clear that she doesn’t control the scheduling. “I’m grateful to be on Armstrong and to play on such an incredible court. But yeah, I don’t control the scheduling. My job is to be prepared for whatever court they put me on and whoever I’m playing,” she said.
Despite all the attention, the young star has stayed humble. After winning her second-round match, she quickly thanked everyone who supports her. “I think every person matters, so I don’t think I’m anything special,” she shared. “I try to live my life with positivity and happiness, and I’m surrounded by love from my family and friends. I hope you all feel the same way too—and that watching tennis brings you love and happiness.”
Eala’s rising fame has attracted many sponsorship deals, and she’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in women’s tennis. A sign of her popularity was seen when ticket prices for her first match on Louis Armstrong Stadium jumped from under $200 to nearly $400 after her schedule was announced.
That’s why the tournament put her on one of their biggest courts. Director Eric Butorac explained, “We knew it had to be on a major stadium. We’re lucky to have her playing here. The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium during Stars of the Open was electric. She’s super friendly behind the scenes, always wanting to meet people and get involved. I hope she keeps that—it’s really special.”
In short, Alex Eala is making waves with her talent and warmth, and she’s staying grounded no matter the spotlight.