Rising tennis stars Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic are preparing for a third-round showdown at the US Open, a match that pits close friends against each other on one of tennis's biggest stages. Jovic, 18, joked that a recent viral moment with Eala, 21, at Arthur Ashe Stadium during fan week was a sign of their impending clash.
"I guess that was a little bit meant to be," Jovic said after her second-round victory over Francesca Jones. The encounter sets the stage for two of the sport's emerging talents to compete once again this season.
Eala secured her spot in the third round earlier in the day by defeating Oleksandra Oliynykova. This will be the third time Eala and Jovic have faced each other this year. Jovic won both previous encounters: one at Roland-Garros and another at the HSBC Championships in June. However, Eala, who has gained significant popularity in her native Philippines, will bring her considerable following, dubbed "Ealamania," to Flushing Meadows.
"It’s going to be intense, but I love it, and I like the Filipinos," Jovic commented. "They bring some really good energy."
The unique aspect of their upcoming match is the strong friendship underpinning the on-court rivalry. Eala has achieved superstardom in the Philippines, and she has spoken about how a close "sisterhood" with fellow players on the tour has been beneficial both personally and professionally.
Jovic and Eala's paths first crossed when Eala won the junior US Open in 2022, but their friendship deepened starting late last year. "I think it’s really good because it’s very lonely, and we are traveling basically all the time," Jovic explained. "So our concept of friendships and family and everything is a little bit warped, and maybe your life outside of tennis isn’t always — you’re not always home and you don’t see those people very often. So you need to have the people you can lean on through the tour."
Jovic noted that while not all players are open to such connections, many younger players are keen to build friendships while maintaining competitive spirit. "On the court it’s fair game, winner takes all, we go for it. Alex is definitely one of those where we both put it aside, and we have a great connection."
The specific court for Eala and Jovic's match had not been determined as of late Thursday night, but with possibilities including Ashe or Louis Armstrong Stadium, Jovic’s sentiment about their exhibition match foreshadowing their upcoming contest holds true.