Alex Eala is one of the best players on the WTA Tour, currently sitting inside the world’s top 50.
But is Eala the best player in her own family?
Will Alex Eala start to lose fans if she doesn’t win a title soon?
She lost 6-2, 6-1, to Elise Mertens in Madrid…
Appearing as a guest on ‘Iguales‘, Eala shared who wins when she plays tennis against her brother, Miko.
Alex Eala admits she has given up hope of beating her brother
“I practised with him like every day until I moved to Spain,” she said.
“With my goals, I never give up on my goals.
“But this is one goal I’ve had to let go.
“Because, him being a man, of course, it’s very different, the gap has always been quite large.
“I remember after he graduated college, he probably didn’t touch a racket for six months, and he kept telling me, ‘Alex, I suck now, I’m so bad, I feel so unfit.’
“One day, I went to practice with him. I asked him to practice with me… I still lost!
“I swear, when I play with Miko, my brother, I feel like I have a mental block.
“If you ever need someone who knows exactly how to beat me, it’s Miko.
“So all of my opponents, if you want tactics, just go to my brother, and you will succeed!”
Eala hasn’t managed to get the better of her brother on the tennis court, but appreciates the advice he has given her over the years.
“Oh my gosh, I cannot tell you how many things I’ve learned from my brother,” she said.
“He also used to play tennis.
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She only won 37% of her second serve points in her Madrid opener…
“He played D1 in the US, so he knows the life.
“Anything, he is the first person I go to if I really have any troubles.
“I think my brother is such a nice person, and he’s super smart, super intelligent.
“Whenever I need advice, he’s the one I go to.
“He’s older. I think every younger sibling has that shared experience of having an older sibling, and you wish you could give them an older sibling because it’s such a pillar of support.”
What’s next for Alex Eala after Madrid Open disappointment?
Eala has yet to spark into life on clay, traditionally her weakest surface.
Alex Eala on clay in 2026 (2-3)
- Linz Open 1R [WIN] vs Julia Grabher, 6-4, 6-3
- Linz Open 2R [LOSS] vs Jelena Ostapenko, 4-6, 5-7
- Stuttgart Open 1R [LOSS] vs Leylah Fernandez, 1-6, 4-6
- Madrid Open 1R [WIN] vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-3, 6-3
- Madrid Open 2R [LOSS] vs Elise Mertens, 2-6, 1-6
The Filipina was originally scheduled to attend the WTA 125 event in La Bisbal after the Madrid Open, but Eala withdrew at the last minute.
Now, her attention will turn to the Italian Open.
Eala made her Italian Open debut last year, and things didn’t exactly go to plan.
She won just one game in a comprehensive, 0-6, 1-6 defeat to Marta Kostyuk in the first round.
Eala will be hoping to deliver a better performance this year, but won’t panic if she suffers another early exit.
She is set to remain in Italy, for a Challenger event in Parma.
There, Eala could pick up some wins against lower-ranked opponents, giving her the confidence boost she needs for Roland Garros.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Eala on clay, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Eala will return to tennis at the Italian Open, which begins on Tuesday, May 5.
