Alex Eala will need to wait for months to get another crack at a Grand Slam, particularly in the 2025 Australian Open.
Lady luck just wasn’t on the side of tennis sensation Alex Eala–at least for now.
“I was so close to achieving a big goal of mine, but today it was not meant to be,“ Eala wrote on her social media post after missing the 2024 US Open main draw.
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The Grand Slam dream remains elusive for Eala as the current world no. 144 succumbed against Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania in the third and final qualifying round of the season-ending major tournament, 6-3, 1-6, and 4-6.
[ALSO READ: Almost but not quite: Alex Eala’s Grand Slam pro debut will have to wait after exiting 2024 US Open qualifiers]
Despite her exit, Eala remains positive on fulfilling her dreams to become the first Filipina in history to make the main draw of a Grand Slam.
“May tiwala ako na kahit masakit ang talo ngayon, may plano sa akin si Lord, kaya sigurado ako na makukuha ko din ‘to balang araw. Hindi pa tapos ang Laban!”
Furthermore, the 2022 US Open junior’s champion described the week as “nothing short of a thrilling dream” while also extending gratitude to her family and supportive Filipino crowd who showed up in her matches.
“Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng nanood at nag cheer sa akin kanina, sa personal man o sa livestream. Salamat lalong lalo na sa pamilya ko, sa mga taong hindi pumasok sa trabaho, at sa mga lumakbay ng malayo para lang mapanood ang laban ko.”
“Narinig at naramdaman ng puso ko ang bawat sigaw at bawat palakpak niyo para sa akin. Maraming maraming salamat mga kababayan. Playing in this atmosphere is something I have never experience before and would not trade for the world.”
Earlier this year, the 19-year-old also came just a win short of earning a spot in the main draw of the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Filipina lefty has had a strong run leading up to the final Grand Slam of the year, achieving a rare double-double by winning both the singles and doubles titles at the ITF W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain last July.
[ALSO READ: 'Means the world to me' | Alex Eala savors biggest pro wins at ITF W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz]