MANILA — Alexandra Eala will take on triple duty at the 2026 US Open, with the rising Filipina tennis star set to compete in mixed doubles and an exhibition event before turning her attention to her biggest assignment — the women’s singles championship in New York.
Eala, currently ranked No. 20 in the world, is expected to be seeded in the singles main draw as she seeks another breakthrough at the Grand Slam tournament where she first made her mark on the international stage.
Before beginning her singles campaign, Eala will team up with world No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the mixed doubles competition. The pair will face Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina in the opening round.
The mixed doubles field is loaded with marquee pairings, including Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, and Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz.
Eala will also see action in the Stars of the Open exhibition on Aug. 27, joining fellow young players Iva Jovic, Learner Tien and Joao Fonseca, along with Amanda Anisimova, Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen and Marta Kostyuk.
Part of the proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the USTA Foundation.
But the centerpiece of Eala’s New York campaign will be the women’s singles tournament. The singles draw will be released on Aug. 27, when the Filipina will learn her opening-round opponent.
Flushing Meadows holds special significance for Eala, who captured the US Open junior girls’ singles championship in 2022.
She returns to New York following a breakthrough season highlighted by her first WTA Tour singles crown at the Mubadala DC Open, a WTA 125 championship in Birmingham, a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon and a Round of 16 finish at the Canadian Open.
Eala also advanced to the third round of the Cincinnati Open before bowing to American Amanda Anisimova in a three-set battle.
With mixed doubles, exhibition and singles duties awaiting her, Eala faces one of the busiest stretches of her season as she attempts to carry her career-best form onto one of tennis’ biggest stages./PN
