Alexandra Eala has earned plaudits from several top stars since her remarkable breakthrough on the WTA Tour.
Kim Clijsters heaped praise on Eala following her early performances this year at the Abu Dhabi Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The Filipina has stamped her authority on the WTA Tour, where she currently sits at World No. 31, and Eala could soar up the rankings at Indian Wells.
Ahead of her very first appearance at the legendary Masters event, Eala has received big praise from Paul Annacone.
Paul Annacone is delighted by what he’s seen from Alexandra Eala
Speaking on TC Live, Annacone pinpointed several aspects of Eala’s game that make her stand out on the WTA Tour.
“She’s got a smile that lights up a room. I remember last year when she beat Iga Swiatek and she did it with a lot of grace and humility,” he explained.
What does Alexandra Eala need to improve in 2026 to challenge for a Grand Slam title?
“For me, it was terrific to see her take that match and watch her play after that and continue to progress. I like her game, obviously she wants to get better than where she is now at 32 in the world, but she’s got a lot of good hand eye coordination and the ability to take the ball early and redirect.”
Eala’s exceptional game, added to her immense popularity around the world, make her incredibly marketable for the WTA Tour.
“But the fan stuff is always fun to me because whenever you see players from smaller countries, the fans are so passionate when they get to the top,” added Annacone.
Eala holds a 10/6 record on the WTA Tour in 2026, which includes impressive wins against Donna Vekic and Jasmine Paolini.
Alexandra Eala’s biggest wins so far
Eala has collected several scalps since arriving on the WTA Tour, with many of them coming during her breakout tournament at the Miami Open.
The Filipina defeated Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, and Swiatek to reach the final four of the event, where she lost to Jessica Pegula.
Alexandra Eala’s biggest career wins
- Jasmine Paolini – 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships
- Clara Tauson – 2025 US Open
- Iga Swiatek – 2025 Miami Open
- Madison Keys – 2025 Miami Open
- Jelena Ostapenko – 2025 Miami Open
- Lesia Tsurenko – 2024 Madrid Open
The star’s victory over top 20 player Clara Tauson at the 2025 US Open was equally as impressive, especially as it earned Eala her very first Grand Slam victory.
What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔
Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
But Eala has been producing shock victories long before her popularity burst in the last year.
The 20-year-old defeated Lesia Tsurenko in the first round of the 2024 Madrid Open to collect her very first top 50 win.
She’s punched well above her weight for much of her career, which has continued with her impressive 2026 form.
