Alex Eala has plenty of people talking about her ahead of her Washington Open debut.
Eala had a breakthrough run at Wimbledon earlier this month, beating Iga Swiatek to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The Filipina will now begin her preparation for the US Open at the Washington Open, where Eala is not playing doubles with Venus Williams, despite originally planning to.
Both Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori have spoken about Eala ahead of the WTA 500 tournament getting underway, and she has now responded to them.
Alexandra Eala says Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori’s comments are ‘super flattering’
Osaka spoke in her pre-tournament press conference ahead of the Washington Open this year, where she was asked about Eala.
The former world number one called Eala ‘incredible’ and a ‘star’, with Osaka praising the way she speaks.
“I don’t know much about Alex, but I think she’s incredible,” Osaka said about Eala. “I think she’s a star, and it’s just really cool to have someone like her that, I guess, people can look up to.
“For me, I think it’s amazing that she’s such an inspiration. Really love hearing her talk because it’s really cool the things that she says.”
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Former US Open finalist Nishikori, who is retiring this year, was also asked about Eala, but more broadly in terms of Asian tennis, as he predicted her to make a breakthrough into the top 10.
“She can be top 10 any time if she can stay healthy and play good, mentally stay tough,” said Nishikori. “I’m actually really happy, she has most potential, I think, but many Asians, of course.
“Chinese too, but inside of top 100 right now, women more than guys. So I think hopefully more men’s Asian tennis gets stronger. I think Japanese and also Chinese are doing really well. Jerry [Juncheng Shang], Wu Yibing, and many more. I hope she can — yeah, Naomi and Eala can stay up there.”
These comments were relayed to Eala in an interview with Dyan Castillejo, as she admitted that she was flattered by both of their compliments.
“Yeah, that’s super flattering coming from Naomi and Kei,” responded Eala. “Like you said, two tennis greats and two Asians who I look up to.
“They have been very successful, that’s for sure, and I remember I would watch Kei a lot when I was younger and of course, Naomi blew up so much each time that she won the four Grand Slams and she’s been doing so much for fashion and being a mom, so that’s amazing to hear from them.”
How many Grand Slams will Alex Eala win in her career? 🏆
She's just knocked out the defending Wimbledon champion!
When could Alex Eala play Naomi Osaka at the Washington Open this year?
Although Osaka was full of kind words for Eala, they have never actually played against each other.
This could change at the Washington Open, but both Eala and Osaka would have to reach the semi-finals if that was to happen.
Eala has a big hurdle to overcome before then, as she faces Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in her first round match.
Osaka has a bye into the second round as the third seed in Washington D.C., as she awaits the winner of the match between Katie Boulter and Ashlyn Krueger.
The main draw of the Washington Open gets underway Monday, July 27.
