Alex Eala is impressive but still has a lot of room for improvement, according to tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Now 32nd, Eala recently climbed to 31st in the world rankings amid her bright start to the 2026 season, which includes a quarterfinal run in Dubai.
The 20-year-old has a 10-6 record as she enters Indian Wells, the latest WTA 1000 tournament in the schedule.
Navratilova has now shared her verdict on the Filipina star, who has quickly become one of the most popular players in world tennis.
Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world
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Martina Navratilova thinks Alex Eala must improve her serve
Navratilova told the WTA website of Eala: “She’s crafty. She’s a good lefty. She uses her variety nicely.
“I think where she can improve the most is her serve, or make it pay off more.
“She needs a bigger serve and bigger kick.
“She’s got the slice down pat. Just believe and hold her ground. “She is slight of build so it’s harder for her to absorb all that pace.
“But I think she can beef up a little and punch up that serve.”
Eala can definitely improve her serve, but patience is required when it comes to the 20-year-old, who has already impressed a lot in her relatively brief career so far.
Along with over 200 wins on the WTA Tour, Eala has enjoyed a stunning rankings rise, and is currently just one spot behind her career-high.
| Aces | 10 |
| Double faults | 39 |
| 1st serve % | 65.5% |
| 1st serve won | 61.3% |
| 2nd serve won | 45.7% |
| Break points saved | 50.5% |
| Service points won % | 55.9% |
| Service games won | 63.7% |
| Service games played | 135 |
Martina Navratilova loves Victoria Mboko’s ‘crazy’ rise
Eala isn’t the only youngster that has caught the eye of Navratilova, who has also been really impressed by Victoria Mboko.
The Canadian star is a top 10 player at the age of 19, while she already boasts two titles on the WTA Tour.
Navratilova said of Mboko: “Her rise has been very meteoric, just crazy.
“She’s a great athlete and she doesn’t have many weaknesses. Solid on both wings, moves well.
“Her biggest thing was being injured. She was strapped up like crazy at the Australian Open, in Doha, I thought she was going to default – and she kept winning… she’s a competitor.
“I think she embraces the challenge. And technically solid, there’s nothing to break down in her game.
“Good shot selection. She’s got choices. Her tennis IQ is working well – and she’s just getting started.”
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Mboko will enter Indian Wells with a 13-4 record, recently reaching the Qatar Open final, which she lost to Karolina Muchova.
Like Eala, Mboko has enjoyed a superb rise in a short space of time, with both players certain to cause chaos at Indian Wells, both on and off the court.
That will likely be particularly true for Eala, who is set to once again attract a huge following in California, and subsequently the Miami Open.
She truly introduced herself to the WTA Tour at the tournament last year, reaching the semifinals after wins over the likes of Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys.
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