Alexandra Eala has quickly become one of the most popular tennis players in the world over the past year.
The Filipino has had a large crowd in her corner at every tournament she has appeared at this season, with fans from her country firmly behind her.
Eala, still just 20 years of age, has enjoyed some impressive results so far in 2026, having reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic, as well as quarterfinals in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Manila.
Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world
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While the young star is certainly on track to become one of the world’s very best, she is not the finished article just yet, and there are a few parts of her game she will look to improve.
Ahead of her campaign at the Miami Open, Eala said there was one shot of world number one Aryna Sabalenka‘s that she would love to have in her own game.
Alexandra Eala says she would take Aryna Sabalenka’s serve
In an interview with Tennis Express, Eala was asked if she could take a shot from any player in tennis, what would it be and who from.
Without hesitation, she quickly responded: “I would steal Sabalenka’s serve for sure.”
Sabalenka has one of the strongest serves on the WTA Tour, and she is among the top ranked in every serving statistic.
Across 19 matches this year, she has recorded a service game won percentage of 88.3%, which is the second highest of any other woman, second to only Yeonwoo Ku, who has only played one match.
Sabalenka is third in break points saved, sixth in aces, and second in percentage of serve points won.
Alexandra Eala reveals the superstition she used to have in tennis
Eala was then asked if she has any superstitions either before her matches or during them.
She replied: “I try not to have superstitions because I feel like it can only do you bad.
“But I remember when I was very young, I used to have this superstition that I would pray during the matches.
“In between points, if I won that point, I had to say the same prayer, so if I won on our father, I’d say our father again before the next point.”
Eala is now the world number 29, a ranking that will see her seeded for Grand Slam tournaments.
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