Eala's Tennis Idols: Serena and Sharapova
Alexandra Eala has never been shy about her love for tennis history, and the 21-year-old Filipina star made that clear again in a recent interview with Channel News Asia. Asked who her dream opponent from the sport's past would be, Eala named two of the biggest icons in women's tennis: Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. She went further by declaring Williams the greatest female player ever, describing Sharapova as someone she has admired since childhood. It is a fitting set of idols for a player who trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy and has already ticked off remarkable milestones of her own, including a victory over Iga Swiatek on Centre Court at Wimbledon and a doubles partnership with Venus Williams. Eala's admiration for Serena runs deep. Earlier this year at the Queen's Club event in London, she described sharing tour space with Williams as something she would carry with her for the rest of her life, even without any direct interaction.
A Tough Road in Singapore Awaits
On the court, Eala has serious business to attend to at the Singapore Open, where she enters as the third seed. The draw has handed her a challenging bracket, with rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva potentially standing in her path later in the tournament. Andreeva is one of the most exciting young players on the WTA tour right now, making this a mouthwatering prospect for fans tuning in from across Asia and beyond. Eala's recent season has included plenty of doubles action alongside partners like Iva Jovic and Janice Tjen, keeping her sharp in a variety of competitive formats. TennisDraw users have been closely tracking Eala's bracket in Singapore, with many tipping a deep run for the Filipina third seed.
