Filipino photog captures Alex Eala’s rise through US Open stints

Alex Eala —PHOTO BY KEATS LONDON

To get to the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, which hosts the US Open, Victor “Keats” London leaves his New Jersey home two-and-a-half hours before he needs to arrive at the famous complex located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York.

“It only takes an hour and a half for the two train rides, but if you miss a connection, there can be quite a wait for the next train,” he said.

It’s almost an annual pilgrimage for the veteran photographer who has perhaps one of the most extensive photo collections of Alex Eala’s participation in the US Open.

He has been photographing Eala since 2021. He wrote a story that came out on the Inquirer’s front page in 2022, when the fast-rising superstar captured the US Open girls’ crown and became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles title.

The current world No. 17 did not play at the 2023 US Open. She came back in 2024 and won her first women’s singles Grand Slam match in 2025.

There are perks to enjoy during the coverage, which happens at the tail end of hot New York summers: Freebies he gets to take home, high-end cameras he gets to test courtesy of popular brands and other things he gets to take home for his wife.

But the greatest perk is catching Eala in action and soaking in “Eala Mania,” which hit a new high in this year’s edition of the Slam.

“As a Filipino, born and raised, I feel proud that we have a Pinay who came out of thousands of qualifiers and made it all the way to the top 20 [in the world ranking],” he said.

There are challenges to the coverage: And it has more to do than the heat when staying under the sun and waiting for the perfect shot.

“I can bear the heat,” he said. “Sometimes, I shoot from where the sun is not bearing down on me. In fact, I love the sun when it provides a dark and bright side of the court. Very artistic when done right.”

The tougher challenge?

“I have to separate the me as a fan and me as the photojournalist,” he said. “As a photojournalist, we can’t cheer. Can’t even wear a shirt or hat that carries the name of a team or a person. Other photographers will call you out.”

But it’s a small price to pay for being able to watch history unfold from courtside.

“Eala is fun to shoot because she gives photographers energy, especially when she celebrates,” London said.

“I also love seeing Filipinos create ‘Eala Mania’ here. [This year], I saw more Philippine flags and shirts showing Eala even during practice rounds,” added London, whose photos appear on the Inquirer.