It’s ironic that, just when people feared that tennis might be losing its biggest-ever superstars, plenty more have risen up in their place.
Coco Gauff is America’s next young hero to fill in for Serena Williams, whilst Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have more than made up for the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
And yet, despite this trio being three of the best players in the world, it could be argued that none of them is the most popular figure in their respective fields.
After all, in Alexandra Eala and Joao Fonseca, both the ATP and WTA Tours have two young but supremely well-followed individuals who seem destined to drag tennis into a new era of prosperity regardless of their individual success.
Alex Eala and Joao Fonseca’s popularity compared
Guaranteeing full stadiums no matter where they play, it’s remarkable to think of the impact that these 19 and 20-year-olds are having on the sport.
However, whilst most have just appreciated what Eala and Fonseca offer to the men’s and women’s game irrespective of one another, Chris Eubanks was instead asked to compare them.
Joao Fonseca will be the man to unsettle Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s duopoly over men’s tennis – Prove us wrong!
Speaking on the Tennis Channel, he was reluctant, but eventually named his pick for the more popular out of the two: “Yeah, I might say Alex. I think Alex might have him beat at this moment, but we’ll see at the end of the tournament.”
He did go on to praise Fonseca for, thus far, living up to the hype: “It’s tough because he’s so young, so, I mean, I’m sure there are tons of areas in his game that he and his team have a long-term approach for things for him to get better at.
“I think defending is going to be one thing. I think he plays so much offence and he does it so well. He’s already working on transitioning to the net. That’s another area that I think will get better with time.
“But just occasionally, having a few more defensive skills when he gets stretched out, maybe playing a couple high and heavy, but right now, when he gets stretched, if he’s semi on balance, he is roping the ball, and he produces some incredible shots from it, but I’d like to see him get a little more comfortable with defending, but I’m sure that’s in the plan.
The kid is so young.”
Regardless of who is more popular, Fonseca and Eala have shown the way forward for tennis with their meteoric rise of late.
How Alex Eala reacted to her fans at Indian Wells
Eala and Fonseca both enjoyed fine runs at Indian Wells this year, but were both beaten at the Round of 16 stage.
And, both paid homage to their fanbases upon exiting the event too.
The Filipina superstar, who has gained particular traction over the last year, reserved special praise for her unwavering and unflappable fans.
Does anybody else even come close to Alex Eala’s popularity right now?
She admitted: “I think my experiences here in my matches here have really meant a lot for me. I think I’ve been able to bring out a certain level and dig really deep in all circumstances, even tonight.
“It’s a learning experience for me. It means a lot to have these experiences, even though I wouldn’t consider today’s match a positive experience for me, but down the line I believe it will have a positive impact on my progression as a player.”
