Alex Eala, Jordan Clarkson share deep connection in PH heritage

Tennis star Alex Eala and Filipino-American NBA guard Jordan Clarkson meet for the first time during a US Open event at Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York.–Photo screengrabbed from ESPNW’s Instagram

MANILA, Philippines–From one trailblazer for the Philippines to another, tennis star Alex Eala and NBA champion Jordan Clarkson bonded over their shared cultural heritage during their first-ever meeting at a US Open event in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York recently.

Eala and Clarkson, who plays for the New York Knicks, formed a connection through having the same experiences representing the Philippines on the global stage.

“I wear my culture on my sleeve. I’m sure you can understand. And it, like, brings so many people together,” Eala told Clarkson in a video posted by ESPNW on Saturday. “Like, it’s crazy that I’m meeting you and how people can connect through culture and just nostalgia. I think it’s a really powerful thing.

READ: Alex Eala a reason why US Open ticket prices reach all-time high

“You know, when you got Filipino blood, you take the whole country with you to hold pride and [we’re] everywhere,” replied Clarkson, whose grandmother is from Bacolor, Pampanga. “[We’re] doing a lot for the country and for the culture, so I think this has been a big year for the culture.”

The 21-year-old Eala has reached many milestones as a Filipino rising in the WTA ranks.

Just last Monday, Eala officially became the highest-ranked Southeast Asian woman in WTA history at world number 18, surpassing Indonesian Yayuk Basuki and Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn, who both climbed to World No. 19 in 1997 and 2002, respectively.

She is also the first Filipino to capture a tour singles title after winning the WTA 500 Washington Open earlier this month.

Like Eala, Clarkson has also carried the flag with him to the best of his abilities–from being drafted in the NBA in 2014 and making the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015 to winning the Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 and helping the Knicks clinch the championship last June.

READ: Knicks’ Jordan Clarkson is first Filipino-American to win NBA title

Clarkson suited up for the Philippine team at the 2018 Asian Games and 2023 Fiba World Cup.

“You’re leading the way for tennis. The stadium looked great. There’s a lot of Filipino flags in there, so, well, I’m proud of you. I’m so proud of you, seriously,” Clarkson said.

“Don’t make me blush,” Eala said with a wide smile.

Eala, who’s been selling out stadiums in every city she plays in, begins her much-awaited campaign in US Open singles against home bet Mary Stoiana on Monday (Manila time). She is seeded 17th in the last Slam of the season.

In her previous Grand Slam appearance last month, Eala reached the fourth round of Wimbledon before losing to Italy’s top player, Jasmine Paolini.

Eala is also set to compete in next month’s Asian Games in Japan, where she will be tipped to win the gold. She won the bronze two years ago in Hangzhou, China.