Ex-ATP Pro Explains Where Alexandra Eala Needs to Improve After Recent Defeats in Later Stages

Alexandra Eala has been making deep runs in the recent tournaments she has played, but has also lost those matches easily. In the ongoing Miami Open, she made the fourth round only to suffer a straight-set defeat at the hands of Karolina Muchova.

In Indian Wells, it was Linda Noskova who eliminated her in the round of 16. While she suffered an opening-round exit at the Qatar Open, she finished as a quarterfinalist at the Dubai Tennis Championships, losing to Coco Gauff in straight sets.

Surprisingly, she won just two games against Muchova, Noskova, and Gauff. Former ATP pro Greg Rusedski, during his Off Court with Greg podcast, advised Eala to improve her serve and get physically stronger.

Eala is getting into the later stages of tournaments, but once she gets there, she’s getting beaten in pretty one-sided matches. I think she needs to improve the serve. The serve, you know, gets you on the front foot from the start, and she’s gonna need to get physically stronger. You know, she’s got to get more time in the gym, build up the muscles, get a little bit quicker. Then she’ll start hitting the ball harder.

Eala burst onto the scene in last year’s Miami Open, reaching the semifinals and losing the match to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. En route to the last eight, she knocked out Madison Keys in the third round and Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.

She’s still very young and many more years to develop. And I think she’s too good a player not to make it into the top 10. The good thing is she has a good attitude. She’s working hard, but you, you don’t want to create this scar tissue when you’re playing the top girls, and you’re losing so easily at times.

Greg Rusedski added

Eala has so far reached one tour-level final. She made the title clash of last year’s Eastbourne International, losing the match to Maya Joint in three sets.

Andy Roddick is impressed by Alexandra Eala’s self-awareness

Although Alexandra Eala is just 20 years old, the way she is handling the weight of expectations from the Filipino fans has impressed the tennis world, including former World No.1 Andy Roddick. The 2003 US Open champion recently interviewed on his Served podcast and was blown away by Eala’s ability to stay composed amidst pressure and expectations.

It was a lesson in self-awareness. I’m sitting here at 43 years old, having been in this tennis game for a long time, and I’m going – there’s no way I could ever be that pragmatic, that self-aware, especially in the eye of the popularity storm, and the responsibility that comes with that position. She is the trailblazer from her country. I think it’s been a great story. I was fascinated before I talked to her. I’m a bigger fan after having spoken to her.

Andy Roddick said

Since her 2025 Miami Open run, she has yet to progress to another semifinal in a WTA 1000 tournament. Next is the clay swing, and Eala will be hoping to make a deep run, having failed to do so last year. She lost to Iga Swiatek in the second round of the Madrid Open and to Marta Kostyuk in the first round of the Italian Open. At the French Open, Emiliana Arango knocked her out in the opening round.

In Grand Slam events, Eala produced her best performance when she reached the second round of the US Open. In this year’s Australian Open, Eala crashed out after a three-set defeat to Alycia Parks in the first round.

Also read: Iga Swiatek’s Physiotherapist Dives Into the Coaching Shakeup After Miami Open Exit

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