Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

19th Asian Games

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<p>NEW YORK — On the eve of her first-round clash at the 2025 US Open, Alex Eala hit the practice courts at Flushing Meadows, fine-tuning her game under the New York sun. </p><p>Temperatures climbed to 30 degrees as both Eala and her opponent, Denmark’s Clara Tauson, went through their final preparations with their teams.</p><p>Eala, the 20-year-old Filipina tennis star, practiced for an hour with Victoria Kasintseva of Andorra, while Tauson sparred with France’s Lois Boisson.</p><p>Team Eala was upbeat heading into the match.</p><p>“The practice today was good. We played points, rallies—she’s hitting the ball very well. The important thing is tomorrow. In matches, things change, but I think we are ready,” said Eala’s head coach, Joan Bosch of the Rafa Nadal Academy. </p><p>“The shoulder is okay now. We had been doing fewer serves before, but last week we started serving normally again. Everything is healed.”</p><p>Eala, returning from a recent injury, expressed gratitude to compete at the US Open 2025.</p><p>“I feel so fortunate to be here, especially after coming back from an injury. I’m just happy to be healthy and fit to compete,&quot; she added.</p><p>This will be Eala’s first-ever meeting with Tauson, a higher-ranked and aggressive opponent. Still, the Filipina is embracing the challenge.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/8/22/alex-eala-to-play-denmark-s-clara-tauson-in-us-open-main-draw-debut-1642">Alex Eala to play Denmark&#x27;s Clara Tauson in US Open main draw debut</a></div><p>“I feel more physically fit now. Mas experienced na ako ngayon, mas maraming dinaanan—a year plus of experience I can lean on,” said Eala. “It’s always going to be a great battle. She’s a very good player, but there are no easy draws here. You just have to come out with the same mindset and focus on yourself,” she said.</p><p>Eala added that her strategy will be to maximize her strengths.</p><p>“Mautak ako—I know how to use the weapons I have. More than anything, I have to stay super focused and run after everything because she’s very aggressive. Let’s see how I handle that,” she said.</p><p>Coach Bosch, alongside fellow trainer Lluc Bauzà, emphasized that the team has worked tirelessly to put Eala in peak condition for the final Grand Slam of the year.</p><p>“She [Tauson] is ranked higher than Alex, so it’s a challenge for us. But we’re happy to play against her. For sure it will be a good fight.”</p><p>Eala is particularly excited to compete at the Grandstand, the US Open’s third-largest stadium, where she expects strong support from the Filipino community in New York.</p><p>“I already felt it yesterday and today. Last year, the crowd was amazing. Alam ko naman ang laki ng Filipino community dito, so sobrang saya. I’m so happy to be back.”</p><p>The first match on Grandstand court begins on Sunday at 11 a.m.  NY local time (11 p.m. Manila time) with the men’s best of 5 first-round match between Mensik and Jarry. Eala vs. Tauson will follow.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/8/23/alex-eala-sharpens-game-2-days-before-us-open-1123">Alex Eala sharpens game 2 days before US Open</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/grkWk6ajA-4?si=jwcoixjO6KUzFvRn" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>On the eve of her first-round clash at the 2025 US Open, Alex Eala hit the practice courts at Flushing Meadows, fine-tuning her game under the New York sun.</p>

On the eve of her first-round clash at the 2025 US Open, Alex Eala hit the practice courts at Flushing Meadows, fine-tuning her game under the New York sun.

Alex Eala a day before US Open Main Draw debut match vs Clara Tauson: ‘I will use my weapons’

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Alex Eala a day before US Open Main Draw debut match vs Clara Tauson: ‘I will use my weapons’

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2025 01:16 PM PHT

Read More:

Alex Eala

Tennis

US main draw

Clara Tauson

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