"I don't control the scheduling": Alexandra Eala vehemently hits back at perceived US Open 'special treatment'

Alexandra Eala took down Oleksandra Oliynykova to set up a third round clash with one of her best friends in Iva Jovic at the US Open.

Eala took to the press conference room to discuss her win over the Ukrainian 6-1, 6-4. She now faces off against Jovic. She discussed being on Louis Armstrong again and the potential at the time off facing off against Jovic who was taking down Fran Jones.

"It means a lot for me to get the weekend, and this is my first time being in the third round here at the US Open. So yeah, big achievement for me as well," said Eala during her post match press conference.

At the time, she was playing either Iva Jovic or Francesca Jones and that soon turned from a hypothetical to it being the former who she is close friends with. Their blockbuster tie has now been set. "Yeah, I think, you know, this, like you mentioned, sisterhood, and just having friends on tour has helped me so much off the court, on the court. I think the friends that I have, I really admire for what they've been through and what they go through," she said.

"With your question specifically referring to Iva, yes. She's an amazing player, young, very talented and very intelligent. Of course, she's a high-ranked player and very, very accomplished, and I've encountered my fair share of challenges against her this year."

Having previously lost to her Ukrainian opponent, she was asked if it was almost a revenge match and she gave her perspective. "I believe that I played Oleksandra Oliynykova in Strasbourg just before Roland Garros, and it, if I recall, it was a really intense battle, a long match. And I remember I had a good meeting with my coach after that one. I think it was one of the matches this year that left a lasting impression.

"And obviously within that time frame from then to now, I've—I think I've improved a lot. And a lot of the points that we mentioned in said meeting were worked on and, you know, I put in the hours for that. That being said, it's a very different circumstance, you know, different surface, different tournament, different time of the year. So it's very difficult to compare. But, you know, focusing on today, I think I did really good in terms of being patient and sticking to my game."

Getting into the top 20, she continues to face new pressure and reaching the second week of Wimbledon helped alleviate some of it this time. "I think experience is definitely helpful. I do feel like a more well-rounded player now and more mature. I guess with time comes maturity. And more intelligent. I think I just have more knowledge with the experience in terms of tennis and competing at the very high level and knowledge of what I'm capable of and, you know, belief in myself."

While Grand Slam champions don't get Louis Armstrong placement, Eala continues to do so and she was asked to discuss whether she was getting special treatment. "Well, in the number nine exit schedule, so yeah. So I'm grateful to be on Armstrong and to play in such an incredible court. But yeah, I don't think—I don't control the scheduling, and my job is to be prepared for whatever court they put me in and whoever they put me—or whoever I'm against. Yeah."