Alex Eala’s mixed doubles adventure may be over, but the biggest part of her 2026 US Open campaign is only about to begin.
And Alex is certainly not taking it easy while she waits.
The biggest fresh development today, August 27, 2026, is that Eala has been training with tennis legend Venus Williams in New York as she prepares for the women’s singles main draw. The practice session comes just days after Eala and Félix Auger-Aliassime were eliminated from mixed doubles and on the same day Alex is scheduled to participate in the Stars of the Open exhibition. (gmanetwork.com, qa.philstar.com)
Meanwhile, the number beside Eala’s name continues to look almost surreal for Philippine tennis:
World No. 18.
The WTA now officially lists the 21-year-old Filipina at No. 18, with a 2026 record of 38 wins and 20 losses and one WTA singles title. (wtatennis.com)
Now we’re waiting for the announcement that could shape the next chapter of her remarkable season:
Who will Alex Eala face in the first round of the US Open?
Here’s everything we know as of August 27.
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What’s New With Alex Eala Today?
There are three main developments to follow today.
First, Alex has been practicing with Venus Williams ahead of the US Open singles competition. (gmanetwork.com, qa.philstar.com)
Second, Eala is scheduled to participate in the Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she will share the event with some of tennis’ most exciting young players. The US Open lists Alex among the featured names for the August 27 event. (usopen.org, usopen.org)
And third — probably most important of all — attention has shifted to the women’s singles draw.
As of this update on the morning of August 27 in the Philippines, I have not found a confirmed official first-round opponent for Eala. So rather than publish a rumored matchup, we’ll wait for the official bracket.
That draw is going to tell us a lot.
Alex Eala Trains With Venus Williams
This is probably the most interesting new Alex Eala development today.
Eala was spotted practicing with seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams as both players prepare for the US Open.
The official US Open shared footage of their practice session, according to reports published today. (gmanetwork.com)
And this isn’t exactly a random practice partnership.
Alex and Venus already know each other quite well.
Eala and Venus Have Played Doubles Together
Eala and Williams previously teamed up in doubles at the Bad Homburg Open, where they reached the quarterfinals.
They reunited for doubles in Canada earlier this month, although that tournament ended with a first-round defeat. (qa.philstar.com)
So there is already a relationship there.
And from Alex’s perspective, practicing with someone like Venus before a Grand Slam is certainly useful.
We’re talking about one of the most accomplished players in tennis history.
Venus has experienced virtually everything a professional tennis player can experience.
Grand Slam finals.
Championships.
No. 1 rankings.
Huge stadiums.
Pressure.
Comebacks.
Long matches.
Big upsets.
Alex is building her own career now, but getting court time with someone who has lived through all of that isn’t a bad way to prepare for New York.
World No. 18 Is Now Official
We also don’t need to talk about Alex Eala’s No. 18 ranking as a projection anymore.
The official WTA player page currently lists:
Current singles ranking: No. 18
2026 singles titles: 1
2026 win-loss record: 38-20
2026 prize money: $1,682,305 (wtatennis.com)
That makes this another historic moment for Philippine tennis.
Only a few weeks ago, Alex entered the Top 20 for the first time after winning Washington. The WTA noted that her championship moved her eight positions from No. 28 to No. 20, making her the first Filipina to reach the WTA Top 20. (wtatennis.com)
Now she’s already two places higher.
Alex Eala Is Now the Highest-Ranked Southeast Asian Woman in WTA Singles History
No. 18 carries another significance beyond Alex’s personal career high.
Her rise has made Eala the highest-ranked Southeast Asian women’s singles player in WTA history.
The previous regional career-high benchmark was No. 19, reached by Indonesia’s Yayuk Basuki and Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn. (news.abs-cbn.com, philstarlife.com)
That’s a pretty extraordinary achievement at 21.
We’re no longer simply talking about Alex setting Philippine tennis records.
She’s beginning to set Southeast Asian ones too.
And She’s Getting Closer to the Top 15
Here’s where things become particularly interesting.
World No. 18 means Alex isn’t that far away from another major milestone.
The WTA Top 15.
Obviously, rankings don’t move simply because a player reaches a certain round. Points being defended by Alex and other players matter, as do results elsewhere.
But a strong US Open run could potentially put more upward pressure on her ranking.
And Grand Slams offer a lot of ranking points.
That’s why Alex’s singles campaign matters much more for her WTA ranking than the mixed doubles event she just played.
What Happened in Mixed Doubles?
For anyone who missed it, Alex’s first event at this year’s US Open didn’t last very long.
Eala partnered Canadian star Félix Auger-Aliassime in the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship.
They faced husband-and-wife pairing Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils.
The result:
Svitolina/Monfils def. Eala/Auger-Aliassime, 4-1, 4-1.
Alex and Félix struggled to find their rhythm in the shortened format, committing eight unforced errors compared with just one from Svitolina and Monfils. The Filipino-Canadian pairing won 23 total points while their opponents collected 34. (sunstar.com.ph)
That ended Eala’s mixed doubles campaign.
But here’s the important thing:
Alex Eala is not out of the US Open.
Her women’s singles tournament hasn’t even started.
Svitolina and Monfils Turned Out to Be Very Good
The mixed doubles result also looks a little different after seeing what Svitolina and Monfils did next.
They continued winning.
The married couple went on to defeat world No. 1 doubles players Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, earning a place in the mixed doubles semifinals. (usopen.org)
So Alex and Félix weren’t simply beaten by a fun husband-and-wife celebrity pairing.
Svitolina and Monfils turned out to be legitimate contenders in the tournament.
That doesn’t erase the loss.
But it does add some context.
Mixed Doubles Is Finished — Now Singles Becomes the Priority
In some ways, the early mixed doubles exit simplifies Alex’s schedule.
There’s no longer another competitive event competing for her time and energy.
She can focus completely on women’s singles.
That’s the tournament that matters most for her ranking.
It’s the tournament where Alex has the opportunity to make another Grand Slam breakthrough.
And based on what we’ve seen from her this season, expectations are considerably higher than they were when she arrived in New York a year ago.
Remember What Alex Did at the 2025 US Open
The US Open already has an important place in Eala’s professional career.
Last year, Alex defeated Clara Tauson to become the first Filipina to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match.
She eventually exited in the second round. (qa.philstar.com)
At the time, simply getting that first Grand Slam victory was historic.
This year?
The conversation is completely different.
Alex Is No Longer Just Trying to Win One Round
That’s probably the biggest change.
In 2025, winning a US Open match was a breakthrough.
In 2026, Eala arrives as:
A WTA champion.
World No. 18.
A seeded player.
A Wimbledon fourth-rounder.
And one of the most talked-about young players on the women’s tour.
Her official WTA Grand Slam record now shows her best major result as the Round of 16 at Wimbledon 2026. (wtatennis.com)
So asking whether Alex can reach the second week of another Grand Slam isn’t unrealistic anymore.
She’s already done it.
Wimbledon Changed the Grand Slam Conversation
Alex’s Wimbledon run matters when evaluating her US Open chances.
She reached the fourth round — the Round of 16 — at Wimbledon this year. (wtatennis.com)
That proved something important.
Her success isn’t limited to WTA 250 or WTA 500 tournaments.
She can win multiple matches at a Grand Slam too.
And now she’s coming to a surface that should suit her aggressive game.
Then Came the Washington Championship
Of course, the biggest breakthrough came in Washington.
Alex won her first WTA Tour singles championship at the Mubadala DC Open, beating Jessica Pegula in the final:
4-6, 6-4, 6-0. (wtatennis.com)
But the final score only tells part of the story.
Look at Alex’s path to the championship:
Zheng Qinwen
Leylah Fernandez
Elina Svitolina
Naomi Osaka
Jessica Pegula
The WTA described it as one of the toughest championship paths in recent memory. (wtatennis.com)
Alex didn’t win her first title by avoiding elite players.
She went straight through them.
Seven Top-10 Wins in 2026
Here’s another number that tells you how much Alex has improved.
Following Washington, the WTA reported that Eala had accumulated seven Top-10 victories during the season, tied for the tour lead at that stage with Svitolina and Elena Rybakina. (wtatennis.com)
That’s significant.
One Top-10 upset can happen.
Two might be a great stretch.
Seven?
That’s a pattern.
It means Alex has repeatedly demonstrated that she can beat elite opposition.
And that changes how we should view a difficult US Open draw.
A Big Name in Alex’s Section Doesn’t Automatically Mean Bad News
This is why I’m particularly interested in seeing today’s draw.
Naturally, Filipino fans will hope Alex gets a favorable first-round opponent.
That’s normal.
But Eala’s season has shown that we shouldn’t automatically panic if a big name appears somewhere in her section.
She’s beaten Pegula.
She’s beaten Osaka.
She’s beaten Svitolina.
She’s beaten Zheng.
She’s already demonstrated that rankings don’t guarantee the outcome when Alex is playing well.
The more important question may be whether she can string together that level of tennis over several rounds.
Alex Eala vs. Iva Jovic at Stars of the Open
Before the singles tournament begins, Alex has another New York appearance scheduled.
She’s part of Stars of the Open, a Fan Week exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium on August 27.
The official US Open lists Eala among the featured players alongside young talents including Iva Jovic, João Fonseca and Learner Tien. (usopen.org, usopen.org)
Alex is scheduled to face Iva Jovic.
And this is worth repeating because it’s easy to get confused:
Eala vs. Jovic is an exhibition.
It is not automatically Alex’s US Open first-round women’s singles matchup.
Jovic Is Actually an Interesting Opponent
Even though the match doesn’t count toward the Grand Slam singles tournament, Jovic should provide useful preparation.
She is one of the rising young players in women’s tennis and has already faced Alex multiple times.
A report today notes that Jovic has beaten Eala twice in previous singles meetings. (qa.philstar.com)
So Alex should get a competitive workout.
And doing it inside Arthur Ashe Stadium isn’t exactly bad preparation for the atmosphere that could await during the tournament.
When Is Stars of the Open?
Stars of the Open takes place Thursday evening, August 27 in New York at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For viewers in the Philippines, that means the event falls on Friday morning, August 28, because New York is currently 12 hours behind Philippine time.
The event itself begins at 6 p.m. New York time, or 6 a.m. Philippine time. (manilatimes.net)
Remember that Alex’s individual match may not begin exactly at the event start because several exhibition matches are part of the program.
The Biggest Update We’re Waiting for: Alex’s Singles Opponent
Everything else is interesting.
The Venus practice.
World No. 18.
Stars of the Open.
The mixed doubles result.
But the biggest piece of information still to come is straightforward:
Who does Alex Eala play in Round 1?
As of this morning’s update, I haven’t found that matchup officially confirmed.
Once the women’s singles draw is released, we’ll immediately know much more about Alex’s chances.
The Draw Will Tell Us More Than Just Round 1
When looking at Alex’s draw, don’t stop at her opening opponent.
Look at the entire section.
We want to know:
Who could she face in Round 2?
Which seed is positioned near her?
Who could be waiting in Round 3?
Which Top-8 player is in her section?
Where are players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula?
That’s when we can start mapping out a realistic path.
Of course, tennis rarely follows the bracket exactly.
Seeds lose.
Upsets happen.
Players withdraw.
But the draw gives us our first real picture.
Alex Is Entering the US Open in a Completely Different Position
This might be my biggest takeaway from everything happening right now.
Compare Alex Eala entering the US Open in 2025 with Alex Eala entering the US Open in 2026.
Last year, she was making history by winning her first Grand Slam main-draw match.
This year, she is World No. 18. (wtatennis.com)
She has a WTA 500 title.
She has reached the Wimbledon fourth round.
She has accumulated multiple Top-10 wins.
She has practiced with Venus Williams.
She’s playing exhibition matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And she’s entering the US Open as someone other players genuinely don’t want to see in their section of the draw.
That’s a massive change in one year.
Can Alex Eala Make Another Grand Slam Run?
Absolutely.
But that doesn’t mean we should expect it automatically.
Grand Slam tennis is brutal.
Even seeded players can draw dangerous unseeded opponents.
And Alex’s rise means opponents are studying her more carefully now.
They’re looking at what worked against her.
They’re analyzing her serve.
They’re studying her return patterns.
They’re looking for ways to disrupt her timing.
That’s another challenge that comes with becoming a Top-20 player.
You’re no longer surprising everybody.
Now you have to keep winning when everybody knows you’re dangerous.
Alex’s Hard-Court Game Gives Her a Chance
The good news is that New York’s hard courts should suit many of Eala’s strengths.
Alex likes taking the ball early.
She likes redirecting pace.
Her left-handed forehand creates unusual angles.
She’s become increasingly aggressive on return.
And perhaps most importantly, she’s playing with the confidence of someone who knows she can beat elite players.
Washington proved that.
That’s why this US Open feels so intriguing.
Alex Eala Latest Update at a Glance
Here’s where things stand on August 27, 2026:
Current WTA ranking: No. 18 — career high
2026 record: 38-20
2026 WTA singles titles: 1 (wtatennis.com)
Best Grand Slam result: Wimbledon Round of 16, 2026 (wtatennis.com)
US Open mixed doubles: Eliminated in Round of 16
Mixed doubles partner: Félix Auger-Aliassime
Mixed doubles result: Lost to Svitolina/Monfils, 1-4, 1-4
Latest development today: Practiced with Venus Williams (gmanetwork.com)
Next appearance: Stars of the Open vs. Iva Jovic
Women’s singles opponent: Awaiting official confirmation as of this update
US Open singles: Main-draw competition begins August 30. (usopen.org)
What to Watch Next
For Filipino fans, the next major Alex Eala update could arrive very soon.
Once the official women’s singles draw is available, we’ll finally be able to answer the question everyone is asking:
Who will Alex face first?
Then we’ll look beyond Round 1.
We’ll see her potential second-round opponent.
Her possible third-round matchup.
The major seeds in her section.
And whether the bracket gives World No. 18 Alex Eala a realistic opportunity to make another run into the second week of a Grand Slam.
Final Thoughts
The mixed doubles loss was disappointing, but it shouldn’t distract from what’s really happening in New York.
Alex Eala’s main US Open campaign hasn’t started yet.
And she’s entering it in the strongest position of her career.
She’s officially World No. 18. (wtatennis.com)
She’s already reached the fourth round of Wimbledon this year.
She’s a WTA 500 champion.
She’s beaten seven Top-10 opponents this season as of her Washington breakthrough. (wtatennis.com)
And today, she’s preparing for another Grand Slam by practicing alongside Venus Williams.
That’s quite a sentence when you think about it.
A year ago, Filipino tennis fans were celebrating Alex Eala winning her first Grand Slam main-draw match.
Now we’re asking a very different question:
How deep can World No. 18 Alex Eala go at the US Open?
First, we need the draw.
And once Alex’s first-round opponent is officially confirmed, that’s when the real US Open conversation begins.
