Alexandra Eala Breaks Down Following Agonising US Open Exit, Video Goes Viral

Last Updated:September 06, 2026, 09:22 IST

Alexandra Eala’s US Open journey ended in heartbreak as the Filipino star broke down in tears after a gripping three-set loss to close friend Iva Jovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alexandra Eala serves to Iva Jovic, of the United States (Picture credit: AP)

Star Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala broke down in tears off the court after her heartbreaking US Open loss to Iva Jovic, ending the former junior singles US Open champion’s senior campaign this year.

Eala, the No. 17 seed in New York this year, dropped the opening set 5-7 to close friend Jovic on Saturday, September 5, but fought back to win the second 6-3 and force a decider.

Eala went up a break in the deciding set but was broken twice as Jovic prevailed 7-5. Although she left the court to a standing ovation from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, Eala broke down in tears in the players’ tunnel on her way to the locker room.

Watch the video here:

“I don’t even know what to say. That felt like a marathon. I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match. But it is really worth it for this feeling. I am usually not one who shows that many emotions,” Jovic said after the match.

“But this one really meant a lot to me. It is everything to have another match at the US Open. I just tried to take my time in those moments and feel the energy, feel the crowd even though they were not always rooting for me,” Jovic added.

Two of women’s tennis’ brightest rising stars made their Arthur Ashe Stadium debuts in a memorable battle that featured 17 service breaks across 33 games.

Jovic, 18, and Eala, 21, are close friends and occasional doubles partners, familiar with each other’s game and style. That familiarity was evident early on, with the pair trading seven service breaks in the first 11 games.

Jovic broke four times to take the opening set, but Eala, a left-hander, responded by breaking thrice to level the match by winning the second.

Jovic will next take on Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

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What was the outcome of Alexandra Eala’s US Open match against Iva Jovic?

Alexandra Eala lost to Iva Jovic in a three-set match at the US Open on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Jovic won the deciding set 7-5 after Eala had forced a decider by winning the second set 6-3, following a 5-7 loss in the first set.

Why did Alexandra Eala break down in tears after her US Open exit?

Alexandra Eala broke down in tears in the players’ tunnel after her US Open loss to Iva Jovic, which ended her senior campaign this year. The emotional reaction followed a hard-fought match where she was up a break in the deciding set but ultimately lost.

Who will Iva Jovic play next after defeating Alexandra Eala at the US Open?

After defeating Alexandra Eala, Iva Jovic will next play Coco Gauff, who was the 2023 US Open champion.

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