Alex Eala has a 4-6 record in Grand Slam main draw matches.
Three of her four wins came at last month’s Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the third round, beating Renata Zarazua, Maya Joint, and the defending champion Iga Swiatek, before losing to Jasmine Paolini.
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Despite being one of the most popular players in women’s tennis, Eala has yet to establish herself as a genuine Grand Slam contender.
Serena Williams’ coach, Rennae Stubbs, has now shared why she doesn’t think Eala will ever win a major title.
Rennae Stubbs says Alex Eala will never win a Grand Slam with her serve
During the latest episode of ‘The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast‘, the 55-year-old named the WTA player she believes will be the next to win her first Grand Slam.
“After she comes back from injury, I think Victoria Mboko has the ability and the chutzpah and confidence; she does not get overly nervous, she goes for it. She can improve a lot of things; most importantly, her serve can get even better,” said Stubbs.
“I think her forehand can technically get better, but her quiet confidence is what makes me go for her.
“Let’s hope when she comes back from this knee injury, which she suffered at Queen’s, I think she really can win a Slam in the next few years.”
Stubbs believes Victoria Mboko has what it takes to win a Grand Slam, but doesn’t believe the same about Eala.
“Not only can she hit the ball huge, and she has a massive first serve, she just believes in herself internally. She does not show it; she is not overly outwardly cocky, but I think she has the game a little bit more than [Alex] Eala,” she said.
“Eala’s serve is just never going to win her a Slam.
Alex Eala’s serving stats (2026)
- Aces – 56 (58th on WTA Tour)
- Double faults – 99 (45th on WTA Tour)
- First serve % – 63.3% (136th on WTA Tour)
- Win % on first serve – 61.8% (126th on WTA Tour)
- Second serve % – 47.2% (62nd on WTA Tour)
- Win % of service points – 56.4% (89th on WTA Tour)
- Break points saved % – 54.2% (115th on WTA Tour)
- Win % of service games – 65.6% (89th on WTA Tour)
“I know you can say the same thing about Angie Kerber, but I just feel like that’s what’s holding her back.”
Statistically, Eala’s serve is anything but elite.
The metric she ranks highest for is double faults, which tells you all you need to know…
That’s not to say it can’t be effective, though, as Swiatek shared her thoughts on Eala’s serve after losing to her at Wimbledon.
“I’ve got to say it’s much tougher to return a serve like that than a normal serve,” said Swiatek.
So, Eala’s serve can win her matches, but can it win her a Grand Slam?
Alex Eala’s Grand Slam record
| Grand Slam | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Australian Open | Q1 | Q1 | Q1 | 1R |
| French Open | – | Q3 | 1R | 1R |
| Wimbledon | – | Q3 | 1R | 4R |
| US Open | – | Q3 | 2R | – |
It’s tough to say, especially this early on in her career, although Wimbledon was certainly a positive step forward.
Reaching the second week of a major tournament for the first time, Eala didn’t let the pressure get to her.
The clay courts of Roland Garros haven’t been kind to her, but on grass and hard courts, perhaps there is Grand Slam glory in Eala’s future.
Rennae Stubbs doesn’t think Jessica Pegula will win a Grand Slam either
Stubbs doesn’t think Eala is the only player who will miss out on winning Grand Slams because of their serve.
“I think it’s what holds Jessica Pegula back,” she said.
“I think it’s a lot because [Pegula’s] second serve is so vulnerable against these big hitters.
“I still have hope she can win one but I just don’t see it.”
Pegula, 32, has never won a Grand Slam, but did reach a final at the 2024 US Open.
She’ll look to go one step further when she returns to New York later this year.
The 2026 US Open begins on Sunday, August 30.
