Alex Eala surprises her opponents with a special skill that just keeps getting better.
Eight-time major champion Jimmy Connors recently shared his thoughts on rising star Alex Eala and the way she uses a cool tactic to shake up her opponents.
At just 21, Eala is quickly becoming one of the most exciting players on the WTA Tour. She made history by winning her first career title at the Washington Open, becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title after beating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 on August 3.
She kept her great form going at the Canadian Open in Toronto, where she won against Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 on August 5. This win took her to the third round and kept her perfect 6-0 record on North American hard courts.
After that match, Eala thanked her fans for their support, saying how much it means to her. “My fellow Filipinos, I see you every week cheering me on,” she said. “I’m so proud to be Filipino. Thank you all so much. I love you!”
Eala also played doubles with Venus Williams in Toronto, though they lost in the round of 32. She’s back in singles action on August 8, facing Caty McNally for a chance to reach the round of 16.
Connors, speaking on the Advantage Connors podcast, believes Eala’s biggest strength is her amazing fan support. He said, “Her fanbase and success are incredible. Winning a 500-level tournament like Washington is huge, and a 1000-level event could be next for her before a Grand Slam.
“Confidence is key, and having the crowd behind her gives her that extra boost. I know how much a crowd can lift a player, sometimes even pushing them to play better than they thought possible. That little extra energy can really help win matches.”
Connors also pointed out that Eala’s strong support might actually rattle her opponents without them realizing it. “The crowd’s backing pushes her and makes her feel like she’s not just playing for herself but for everyone cheering her on. That can be intimidating.
“I love when crowds get involved and show their support loudly. It makes matches exciting. Whether you like her or not, you can’t ignore her presence, and that brings more attention to women’s tennis—especially to her.”