Andrea Petkovic Picks Alex Eala Over Iva Jovic in Grand Slam Race

Former world No. 9 Andrea Petkovic has given her prediction on which rising star will capture a maiden Grand Slam title first: Alex Eala of the Philippines or American teenager Iva Jovic.

Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast following the 2026 US Open, Petkovic said she believes both players will eventually win a Grand Slam title, but expects Eala to achieve the milestone first.

Petkovic’s reasoning was straightforward. She pointed to the two-year age difference between Eala and Jovic, saying the extra time could give the Filipina an advantage through additional tournament experience and exposure to high-pressure moments.

Importantly, Petkovic stressed that her prediction was not based on the belief that Eala has superior tennis ability.

“I think both will win one,” Petkovic said before explaining why she expects Eala to get there first. She highlighted Eala’s additional years of maturity and experience, while also praising Jovic’s maturity despite her young age.

Alex Eala and Iva Jovic’s Rising Rivalry

The prediction comes after Eala and Jovic produced one of the most closely contested matches of the 2026 US Open.

Jovic defeated Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a three-hour third-round battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American held her nerve in the deciding set and improved her head-to-head record against Eala to 3-0.

Their rivalry has quickly become one of the intriguing storylines in women’s tennis. The two are also close friends and have previously shared the court outside competitive matches.

Their US Open encounter showed how little separated the two players. Eala fought back after losing the opening set, but Jovic eventually produced the decisive run in the third set to reach the fourth round.

Eala’s Breakthrough Continues

At 21, Eala has already established several milestones for Philippine tennis.

The left-handed Filipina won her first WTA Tour singles title in Washington in 2026. She also captured WTA 125 titles in Birmingham and Guadalajara, while her breakthrough 2025 season included a semifinal appearance at the WTA 1000 event in Miami.

That Miami run became a landmark moment for Philippine tennis, as Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.

Eala also made a strong impression at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, reaching the fourth round. Her run included a notable victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Her recent results have given her valuable experience against elite opposition while continuing her rise through the rankings.

Jovic Is Already Making Grand Slam Progress

Jovic, meanwhile, has accelerated her own development at just 18 years old.

The American reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open and followed that with another deep Grand Slam run at the US Open.

Her victory over Eala in New York marked her first US Open fourth-round appearance. Jovic’s 2026 Grand Slam results have demonstrated her ability to perform on major stages despite her young age.

Her progress has also made her one of the most closely watched young players in American tennis.

Petkovic Sees Grand Slam Potential in Both

Petkovic’s comments were ultimately less about choosing one player over the other and more about recognizing the potential of both.

She described Eala and Jovic as part of the present and future of women’s tennis and praised the quality of their US Open encounter. Her prediction simply gives Eala a later timeline because of her additional years of age and experience.

The distinction matters because Jovic is already competing deep into major tournaments at 18, while Eala has accumulated more professional experience and established herself against some of the world’s top players.

For Filipino tennis fans, Petkovic’s prediction adds another significant voice to the growing international attention surrounding Eala. For Jovic, the forecast highlights how quickly she has emerged as a major young American talent.

Neither player has won a Grand Slam singles title yet. Petkovic’s prediction remains a forecast rather than a certainty, but her central point is clear: she expects both Eala and Jovic to eventually become Grand Slam champions, with Eala reaching the milestone first.

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