Alexandra Eala Receives Glowing Praise From Danielle Collins: “She’s So Ferocious But I Love the Soft Side of Her”

Alexandra Eala is once again in the spotlight thanks to her historic run at the Citi Open last week. She reached her career’s second tour-level final and ended it in her favor, with a three-set victory over home favorite Jessica Pegula.

En route to improving her head-to-head record over Pegula to 1-1, she beat Qinwen Zheng, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. With this win, she has become the first Filipina to win a WTA title. But she had no time to celebrate her victory because the Canadian Open had already started when she played the final in Washington.

Amid her run in Toronto, she received high praise from Danielle Collins, who also advised her to keep distractions at bay to maintain her focus in the ongoing event. What Collins admires the most about Eala is the way she carries herself.

I just love how comfortable she is in her own skin. I love how genuinely kind she is. For me, somebody that’s so fierce and so ferocious, I love seeing someone that’s a little different, and a little bit… she’s so ferocious when she’s playing on court, but then I just love the soft side of her as well. I really admire that.

Danielle Collins said during the Tennis Channel Live

In the ongoing WTA 1000 event in Montreal, Eala knocked out two Americans, Alycia Parks and Caty McNally, to schedule her fourth-round match against Belinda Bencic, who overcame Taylor Townsend.

It’s the fifth time she has made the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event and the first time at the Canadian Open. She made her debut in the tournament last year and crashed out after playing the first round.

I love how she wears her heart on her sleeve, and the way she speaks about her fans, I think, is so genuine, and the way she connects with everyone. Yeah, there’s just something really special about her.

Danielle Collins added

The only time the 21-year-old has made the semifinal of a WTA 1000 was at the 2025 Miami Open. She upset Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and lost to eventual runner-up Pegula in the last four. Before the Citi Open, Eala had made the final of the 2025 Eastbourne International but lost the match to Maya Joint.

Steve Johnson on Alexandra Eala’s impact on tournaments

Alexandra Eala is selling a lot of tickets. Naomi Osaka perfectly described the fanbase when she revealed how, even before Eala stepped on the practice court during the ongoing event, Filipino fans had already filled the stadium.

Coco Gauff, when she faced Eala in Dubai earlier this year, felt like playing in a World Cup-like atmosphere. And now former ATP player Steve Johnson shared his reaction to the impact of the youngster.

It’s amazing to see what she’s doing at such a young age, and to have command of her own emotions, the crowd, everything that comes with it. They’re moving her matches to Centre Court, she can’t play on the smaller courts anymore — that’s a lot to take on as a young individual. But she’s doing it quite gracefully, and it’s really impressive to watch.

Steve Johnson said on the Tennis Channel Live

Following her run in Washington, Eala reached a career-best ranking of No.20. Before the Citi Open, Eala made history at Wimbledon.

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate defeated six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek (also the defending champion) in the third round, becoming the first player from the Philippines to reach the last 16 of a Major. She lost to Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round.

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