Alex Eala Wins US Open Hard Court Swing Award
Filipina player Alex Eala won the WTA's Star of the Swing Award for the US Open hard court swing with 78% of the fan vote, ahead of world number one Elena
Alex Eala has won the US Open hard court swing Star of the Swing Award with 78% of the fan vote. The Filipina tennis player secured her second career Star of the Swing Award, a fan-voted honor introduced at the start of the 2026 season to reward performances during specific sections of the tour.
Eala previously won the award for her efforts during the grass court season. Other past winners include Elena Rybakina, Karolina Muchova, Aryna Sabalenka, and Maja Chwalinska.
Vote breakdown and competition
The final vote tally showed a commanding lead for Eala. World number one and reigning US Open champion Elena Rybakina finished second with 16% of the vote. Iga Swiatek received 3%.
| Player | Vote Share |
|---|---|
| Alex Eala | 78% |
| Elena Rybakina | 16% |
| Iga Swiatek | 3% |
Recent form and fan skepticism
The award announcement followed Eala's loss to world number 180 Tatiana Prozorova in Singapore. That match was not part of the North American hard court swing covered by the award. Some fans questioned the timing and legitimacy of the honor given that recent result.
One person said, "What is this ridiculous thing? Didn’t she just lose a second round match in Singapore?"
Fan reaction and debate
Reaction on social media was sharply divided. Some critics labeled the award a mere popularity contest. They argued that Rybakina, as US Open champion, should have been recognized. Another wrote, "Laughable, Rybakina won the US Open." Some expressed concern that the fan pressure and ensuing debate could negatively impact Eala's mental health, suggesting she might feel imposter syndrome.
Other fans defended the outcome vigorously. They stated Eala won fair and square through the official voting process. Critics were told they should have voted for their favorites if they wanted a different result.
Looking ahead to the Asian swing
Eala now sets her sights on the Asian swing. She hopes to win a third consecutive Star of the Swing award during that segment of the season. Her schedule is busy. She will play at the Asian Games, which is not a WTA tournament, before the official Asian swing begins. Alex Eala hopes to win three consecutive Star of the Swing awards during the Asian swing.
