Jordan Clarkson and Alex Eala Meet at Flushing Meadows

Jordan Clarkson walked into the US Open this week as an NBA champion. Alex Eala walked in with her first WTA singles title and a career-high ranking of No. 18. On Thursday, their paths crossed at Flushing Meadows.

Eala congratulated Clarkson first. “I’m proud of you,” he told her, according to Heavy.com. She reacted with surprise before he repeated himself, more seriously this time.

Two Athletes, One Culture

Clarkson has represented the Philippines internationally before. He suited up for Gilas Pilipinas at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, playing in front of home crowds in Manila.

Eala said wearing her culture visibly is something that brings people together. Clarkson described Filipino identity as something you carry with you no matter where you go, joking that the whole country and every province comes along for the ride.

Eala joked that she could recognize a fellow Filipino on the street, including him. The conversation then turned to representing the country in their own sports, basketball and tennis.

Flags in the Stands

Eala’s appearance came during the Stars of the Open exhibition benefiting the USTA Foundation, where she played in front of a packed crowd that included a large number of Philippine flags. Clarkson noticed.

He told her the stadium looked great and pointed out how many flags filled it, adding that it made him proud of her. Eala noted that basketball is already massive in the Philippines. Clarkson turned it around, telling her she was doing the same for tennis. She said she was trying to make the sport bigger back home and promised to keep doing her part.

Clarkson later posted a photo of the two of them on Instagram with an encouraging caption and a Philippine flag emoji. Eala reposted it with her own short reply.