Filipina star Alex Eala arrives in New York for US Open

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is back in the Big Apple, posting photos on Instagram of her arrival ahead of what could be a career-defining tournament. It’s a return to the place where her junior career took off a decade ago, but this time she's playing in the main draw of the US Open.

Eala, who is 20, shared a photo on Thursday with a simple, two-word caption: 'New York, New York.' It was a quiet confirmation that she's ready to compete in her third Grand Slam main draw tournament this year, following appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon.

For now, the focus is on whether Eala is fully recovered from a recent shoulder injury. She sustained the injury at the Montreal Open, which forced her to skip both the Cincinnati Open and the Monterrey Open. The setback caused her world ranking to slide to No. 70.

Despite the setback, her entry into the US Open main draw is a big deal. She earned her spot through a steady climb in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, a run that started with strong performances earlier this year, particularly at the Miami Open.

This tournament is a significant milestone for Alex Eala, marking her official transition to the big leagues. With matches running from August 24 to September 7, all eyes will be on how the young star performs on one of tennis's biggest stages.