Alex Eala Commands Respect as WTA Rivals Praise Rising Star Ahead of Singapore Open
Filipina sensation Alex Eala is already making waves on the WTA Tour, earning admiration from her peers as she gears up for the Singapore Open, a key stop in the Asian Swing. The 21-year-old left-hander expressed her excitement about competing closer to home, saying, “I’m very happy” to play in Singapore.
Eala faces a challenging draw, set to open her campaign against either world No. 152 Sofia Costoulas or world No. 178 Tatiana Prozorova. Should she advance, formidable opponents loom, including former US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the later stages of this WTA 500 event. Following Singapore, Eala will represent the Philippines at the Asian Games, opting out of the upcoming WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
Eala’s impact on the tour is clear, with sixth seed and wildcard Leylah Fernandez highlighting her qualities both on and off the court. Fernandez praised Eala’s talent and character, stating, “Alex is such an amazing player, and most importantly such an amazing person. She’s super kind, super humble. She always has a smile on her face.” The Canadian also acknowledged the passionate support from the Filipino community, noting, “To have Alex there too really shows how much the Filipino community loves to support one of their own.”
World No. 70 Alycia Parks, also competing in Singapore, echoed the enthusiasm surrounding Eala’s presence. “The buzz around Alex is always fun,” Parks said, emphasizing that her popularity is “good for tennis.”
Iva Jovic, currently ranked a career-high 113, reflected on the unique challenge of facing friends like Eala and Zeynep Sonmez in competition. Jovic, fresh from defending her title in Guadalajara, remarked, “It’s a strange one, but I think all of us are professional, and when we step on the court, we do our best to win, and all of that is aside.” She added, “I don’t think it messes up anything on the court, and they’re both of those girls you mentioned are one of the best and nicest people.”
Jovic holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over Eala, including a recent three-set victory in the US Open third round. With the rivalry set to continue, the Singapore Open could provide another intense chapter in their evolving competitive story.
Alex Eala’s rise is more than just a story of emerging talent—it is a testament to her professionalism and the respect she commands within the WTA community. Her blend of skill, humility, and the strong backing from her home country is propelling her into the spotlight as one of the tour’s most promising young stars.
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