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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala all praises for close friend Iva Jovic

Alex Eala all praises for close friend Iva Jovic

Published May 27, 2026 03:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Despite the defeat, she tipped her hat off to Jovic.
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
It was a bittersweet moment for Alex Eala after she faced her American friend Iva Jovic in the French Open (Roland Garros) opening round, where she ultimately dropped a 6-4, 6-2 defeat last Tuesday, May 26, in Paris.
Things didn’t go according to plan for the 21-year-old Eala in the French capital, but the Filipina tennis still emphasized how her game has improved through the years despite losing early in tournaments.
“I think it's all in perspective. It's been a long time since I moved to Spain or that period of time that I was talking about in the podcast. I'm in the top 40 now. I've done a lot of great things and the game at this level is so much more than just technique,” said Eala in the post-game press conference.
“So there's so many different factors that build into it. But that being said, I'm super proud of how far I've come, and I'm confident in myself. I'm confident in how I play even through losses like this,” she added. “And I think that's very important. So it's very difficult to achieve every single week. So I take that in my stride.”
Eala, who improved to WTA No. 37 despite her quick exit in the singles event, celebrated her 21st birthday last Saturday.
Despite the defeat, she tipped her hat off to Jovic.
“I think we're very accustomed to it and we're all professionals. So everything kind of just prepared in the same way that you would any other slam,” Eala stressed.
“And I think the difficulty with facing Iva comes from her being a great tennis player and her being a really good competitor, instead of being my friend,” she added.
After all, it is all love for Eala and 18-year-old Jovic, who had teamed up in the doubles event before highlighted with a sweep victory over veterans American Venus Williams and Ukrianian Elina Svitolina in the ASB Classic opener in Auckland, New Zealand earlier this year. They also reached the semifinal of the said competition.
Jovic, herself, posted a photo of her and Eala on an Instagram post.
“One of those days I wish there could be two winners,” Jovic wrote with Eala replying: “No one I’d rather share the court with LOVE YOU GIRL!!.”
Eala’s mission isn’t done yet in Paris as she pairs with fellow young gun in Canadian Victoria Mboko. They take on Leylah Fernandez of Canada and Diana Shnaider of Russian in the French Open doubles opener.

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