Martina Navratilova has included Alex Eala when identifying her three favourite players currently on the WTA Tour.
Like the rest of the tennis world, legendary figure Navratilova has been kept very busy lately by all of the action at Wimbledon.
She has been involved in media duties at the All England Club, having claimed half of her 18 Grand Slam titles at the iconic venue as a player.
The former world number one has now shared her take on the current WTA superstars, although intriguingly none of her three favourites are top 10 players.
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Martina Navratilova’s three favourite current WTA players to watch
Speaking live on BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, Navratilova said of her favourite players to watch play: “I would actually like to get on YouTube and see some oldies playing, because I know it’s there but I have not taken the time to do it.
“Bill Tilden, Suzanne Lenglen and Alice Marble.
“But in the modern era, of course, Roger [Federer] and I love watching [Carlos] Alcaraz play because you never know what is going to come off his racket and the combination of his power and drop shots.
“With the women, Justine Henin. I loved watching her play.
“Iva Jovic, I think she is a really fun player to watch.
“[Maja] Chwalinska, the finalist at Roland Garros – what a fun player! She jammed her foot being up 6-2, 5-2 in the first match on match point and lost the match, but she will be back. She is a fun player, I think she can win on any surface.
“And Alex Eala, she is building a whole new craze in Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Bringing more fans into tennis.”
Jovic, Chwalinska and Eala may not be top 10 players, but they are indeed fantastic to watch, and could have very bright futures in the game.
Where are WTA stars Alex Eala, Iva Jovic and Maja Chwalinska ranked?
Of Navratilova’s choices, world number 32 Eala perhaps ranks highest among tennis fans right now given her superb run at Wimbledon.
Despite bearing the weight of the hopes of an entire nation, the Filipina superstar knocked out defending champion Iga Swiatek before falling to Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Chwalinska enjoyed an even better run at the French Open, making it all the way to the final as a qualifier.
As a result of her sensational journey, the Pole climbed a huge 93 places in the WTA rankings to 21st, where she currently stands.
However, despite being just 18 years old, American teenager Jovic leads the trio thanks to her current rank of 16th.
| Rank | Player | Career-high | Age |
| 16 | Iva Jovic | 16 | 18 |
| 21 | Maja Chwalinska | 21 | 24 |
| 32 | Alexandra Eala | 29 | 21 |
Jovic lost to Jessica Pegula in the round of 16 at Wimbledon, while Chwalinska suffered an injury on match point in her first round loss to Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
As for Navratilova’s admiration for Alcaraz, she unfortunately has not been able to see him in action of late thanks to his ongoing wrist injury, which ruled him out of Wimbledon.
