Jordan Clarkson, Iva Jovic, Alex Eala, and Coco Gauff. Photos: FIBA, US Open, AFP/File.MANILA — While Alex Eala’s 2026 US Open run ended in heartbreak, the Filipina tennis sensation still put her prowess on full display, earning praise from friends and rivals alike.
Among those who rallied behind the 21-year-old was Filipino-American NBA champion and New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson, who urged Eala to keep pushing forward after her 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 loss to Iva Jovic.
“Queen Eala forever! Keep doing great things!” Clarkson wrote in a social media post. “I’m proud, everybody is proud of you twin!!! Keep going.”
The former Gilas Pilipinas guard and Eala recently linked up at a US Open event, where they shared their experiences of representing the Philippines on the global stage.
Also hailing Eala after their three-hour classic was none other than Jovic herself.
“The level was absolutely incredible from both sides,” an emotional Jovic said before praising Eala’s character. “After that kind of match, to come over and hug me and wish me all the best, it says a lot about her as a person to be able to do that.”
“Even in the locker room, behind closed doors, that just says a lot about her and her character,” added Jovic, who will face Coco Gauff in the next round of the tournament.
Speaking of Gauff, the 22-year-old also touched on how Eala’s greatness extends beyond the court.
“She’s the first Filipino player to break a lot of the barriers that she’s done,” said Gauff. “Especially on the female side, when you speak of athletes from the Philippines, she’s doing similar things to what Manny Pacquiao is doing for her country.”
“I’m lucky to be from the U.S., where we had a lot of icons to look up to. People who have already broken down doors for me to be here where I am. But I definitely think she has more pressure. From the outside looking in, she has more pressure,” Gauff added.
Up next for Eala is the Singapore Open before she represents flag and country at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.