Alex Eala’s first trip to a Grand Slam third round ended in a three-set defeat, but it still banked her a hefty payday: $290,000 in prize money and 130 WTA ranking points from her deepest US Open run yet.
The payday from a career-best run
Eala’s campaign in New York came to an end in a gripping third-round classic, where she pushed close friend Iva Jovic to a deciding set before falling 5-7, 6-3, 5-7. Even in defeat, the world No. 18 walked away with prize money and ranking points that count toward her climb.
| What she took from the US Open | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prize money | $290,000 |
| WTA ranking points earned | 130 |
| Career prize money before the US Open | $1,682,305 |
| Estimated career total after the run | about $1.97 million |
The numbers come from the official WTA records, as reported by GMA News.
Where her ranking stands
Eala entered Flushing Meadows at a career-high world No. 18, already the highest-ranked Southeast Asian in WTA history. The 130 points from her first-ever third-round appearance lock in her place near the top 20 as the tour heads into the Asian swing. Her run through the draw, her first career trip past the second round of a major, also made her the highest-seeded Filipina in Grand Slam history.
What’s next for Eala
According to GMA News, Eala is expected back in action at the Singapore Tennis Open later this month before heading to the Asian Games.
- Singapore Tennis Open: later this month
- Asian Games: next on her schedule
Between the career-high ranking, the near-$2 million in career earnings, and a breakthrough run on the sport’s biggest stages, 2026 is shaping up as the year Eala stopped being a rising star and started being a headliner.
