Alex Eala traded a tough mixed doubles exit for a front-row seat to Roger Federer’s return at the US Open. The 21-year-old Filipina watched the Swiss veteran’s comeback from the stands and the red carpet in New York.
A comeback win for Federer
Federer, who last played serious tennis in 2022, opened with a 6-3 win over Andy Roddick in exhibition, then joined John McEnroe to beat Roddick and Andre Agassi 7-5 in doubles. The matches were part of US Open Fan Week, the tune-up that runs before the main draw.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Federer vs Roddick | Federer won 6-3 |
| Federer and McEnroe vs Roddick and Agassi | Federer and McEnroe won 7-5 |
Eala as the super fan
Ranked No. 18 in the world, Eala was courtside for the Federer comeback. The WTA posted her on the red carpet with the caption “Enjoying a night full of legendary tennis.” It came right after her mixed doubles exit with Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Her singles run starts soon
Eala is listed as the No. 17 seed for the singles draw, which starts August 30. She remains the highest-ranked Southeast Asian woman in Open era history, ahead of the mark long shared by players who peaked at No. 19. She is also in the fashion spotlight at this year’s tournament after its opening-week coverage.
