Alexandra Eala, the rising star of tennis, has once again captured attention by naming her all-time dream opponents and revealing who she considers the greatest female player in history. The 21-year-old Filipino sensation, currently ranked world No. 18, did not hold back in sharing her admiration for some of the sport’s legends ahead of her campaign at the Singapore Open, where she enters as the third seed.
In an insightful interview with Channel News Asia, Eala was asked to pick her dream opponent from the annals of tennis history. Without hesitation, she chose Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, two icons who have shaped the modern game. “Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova,” she stated, before elaborating on her pick for the greatest female player ever. “Serena is just the greatest of all time,” Eala affirmed, emphasizing the American star’s unparalleled impact. “And Maria is somebody I’ve looked up to ever since I was a baby.” Her words underscore the deep respect and admiration she holds for these trailblazers.
Eala’s reverence for Williams is not new. Earlier this year, ahead of Williams’ doubles appearance at the Queen’s Club tournament, Eala spoke candidly about the inspiration drawn from being on tour alongside the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “Of course, she is the great and such an inspiration, so to be able to see that firsthand and experience the tour at the same time as her is something I’ll remember for life,” Eala reflected. She continued, “Even if I don’t get any interactions with her, it would still be an honor just to be in that same space.”
Both players reached the second round at Queen’s, with Eala succumbing to Iva Jovic in straight sets. Meanwhile, Williams and her partner Victoria Mboko were forced to withdraw from their doubles match due to Mboko’s ACL injury, sustained in singles against Karolina Pliskova. This injury sidelines Mboko at the start of the year, but Williams’ return to competitive tennis remains a focal point for fans and players alike.
Eala’s doubles experience has flourished this season, teaming up with notable names such as Jovic, Venus Williams, and Janice Tjen. The prospect of pairing again with Venus Williams looms, especially if Serena continues her comeback through the 2026 season. The Williams sisters last teamed up at the US Open but were eliminated in their opening round by Maya Jansen and Chan Hao-ching.
As Alexandra Eala prepares for the Singapore Open, her candid reflections on her idols and dream match-ups provide a vivid glimpse of her ambitions and the legacy she aims to carve in women’s tennis. Her journey is one to watch closely, with the echoes of Serena and Sharapova’s greatness serving as both inspiration and challenge.
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
