Fastcompany iconFastcompanySep 4, 2026 ~1 min source read

The U.S. Open has a new off-court champion

Open heats up, the women's bracket is looking particularly thrilling, with contenders like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Świątek, and crowd favorites like Naomi Osaka and a returning Serena Williams. Whoever comes out on top, the real winner this year may be the 17th-seeded Alex Eala of the Philippines.

The U.S. Open has a new off-court champion

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Open heats up, the women's bracket is looking particularly thrilling, with contenders like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Świątek, and crowd favorites like Naomi Osaka and a returning Serena Williams.

Whoever comes out on top, the real winner this year may be the 17th-seeded Alex Eala of the Philippines.

Snagging the tournament's iconic trophy would be a long shot for the 21-year-old.

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The useful part

Open heats up, the women's bracket is looking particularly thrilling, with contenders like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Świątek, and crowd favorites like Naomi Osaka and a returning Serena Williams. Whoever comes out on top, the real winner this year may be the 17th-seeded Alex Eala of the Philippines. Snagging the tournament's iconic trophy would be a long shot for the 21-year-old.

How it works

  • Under the media spotlight of the season's final Grand Slam, Eala's devoted, vocal, and fast-growing following is poised to make her one of the tournament's champions with fans—and brands—no matter how she...
  • Since then her fan base has climbed steadily, thanks both to underdog victories (last month she defeated top-seeded Jessica Pegula at the D.C.

Details worth keeping

"I think the feeling that Pacquiao gave the Filipinos was great to have someone to rally over, and when he would have fights, everyone was so excited, and it was just a chance for people to come together," Eala <a href="https://sports.inquirer.net/690615/alex-eala-on-pacquiao-comparisons-im-still-very-very-far" ta...

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