Alex Eala responds to 'special treatment' question after US Open scheduling sparks controversy

Alex Eala has responded to claims that the US Open is giving her "special treatment" after she was scheduled to play on a bigger court than Grand Slam champions.

Eala has breezed through the first two rounds of the US Open without dropping a set against Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova to set up a mouth-watering showdown with WTA number 14 Iva Jovic.

A clash against the 18-year-old and her good friend promises to be her toughest challenge so far, having never beaten the teenage sensation, with controversy surrounding the build-up to the match.

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Alex Eala responds to 'special treatment' at US Open

Eala has received unparalleled levels of support since emerging as one of the biggest stars in the sport. After winning her maiden WTA singles title at the Washington Open last month, the 21-year-old stole the headlines for the impact she is having on tennis.

That was demonstrated during the Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event, when her session against Alycia Parks sold out within hours, and one of the vendors at the arena in Toronto had to change one of their food offerings to cater for her massive Filipino following.

The world number 18 is typically scheduled onto the bigger courts at tournaments due to possessing a huge fanbase, and this has caused controversy, particularly at the US Open.

Eala played on the Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-biggest court at Flushing Meadows, for her first two matches at the tournament, while former US Open champion Iga Swiatek secured victory over Nadia Podoroska at the Grandstand - the third-biggest stadium.

The event's organisers were labelled as 'disrespectful' for giving Eala preference over a Grand Slam champion, but when asked about whether she thinks she's receiving 'special treatment', the Filipino rightfully pointed out that the schedule isn't in her control.

"I’m grateful to be on Armstrong and to play on such an incredible court. But yeah, I don’t control the scheduling. My job is to be prepared for whatever court they put me in and whoever I’m against,” Eala said.

While the youngster could let the popularity go straight to her head, she has remained grounded throughout, quickly praising those closest to her after her second-round win.

“I think every person does matter, so I don’t think that is anything special,” Eala continued.

“I try to live my life with positivity and happiness and I’m surrounded by love thanks to my family and friends. I hope you guys feel the same way and watching tennis you feel love and happiness as well.”

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Alex Eala creating ticket price surge at US Open

Eala's skyrocketing reputation has seen her gain multiple sponsor deals, as she continues to become one of the fastest-rising names in women’s tennis.

A sign of her incredible popularity was demonstrated before her first match, when fans wanting to watch the Filipino were hit by an extraordinary ticket price surge.

According to TicketData Tracker founder Keith Slusser, the get-in price for Eala's session at Louis Armstrong Stadium doubled from under $200 to almost $400 after the US Open announced her first-round schedule and court designation on Sunday.

That is why she has been scheduled to play at the second-biggest court at the US Open, with tournament director Eric Butorac stating: "We knew it had to be on a major stadium.

“We are fortunate to have her in the mix. We saw some of the crowd turned up there [at the Arthur Ashe Stadium] in Stars of the Open. I don't know if you guys caught any of that match, but it was electric in there.

"She's so friendly to everyone behind the scenes. She wants to meet people, she wants to engage, she wants to do everything. I hope she doesn't lose that. It is so special.”