Alexandra Eala is arguably one of the most popular players in women’s tennis.
Since breaking through at the 2025 Miami Open, Eala has grown a large fanbase, especially in the Philippines.
Her fans followed her to Melbourne, packing out Court Six for her Australian Open first-round clash with Alycia Parks.
They were vocal throughout, but couldn’t quite carry her across the line, as Eala lost to Parks, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6.
After the match, the Australian Open was criticised for its handling of Eala, as many believe they should’ve placed her on one of the show courts.
Eala’s popularity in the Philippines is undeniable, but is she a global fan favorite?
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
Not according to tennis fans who were asked to name their favorite WTA player on TalkingPoints…
Tennis fans name Coco Gauff as their favorite WTA player
We received plenty of responses, but nobody named Eala as their favorite WTA player.
Instead, it was Coco Gauff who emerged as the clear fan favorite.
“Queen of the courts, Coco [Gauff],” said one fan.
“Coco is my favorite player. She has exceptional skills and is classy on and off the court,” said another.
“Coco all the way,” added one fan on TalkingPoints.
“Coco Gauff, she’s a rising star, hard working with a great attitude,” said one fan.
The American number one’s name kept appearing in the replies.
Gauff has become one of the best players in women’s tennis over recent years and is a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Coco Gauff’s ‘big’ titles
- 2023 Cincinnati Open
- 2023 US Open
- 2024 China Open
- 2024 WTA Finals
- 2025 French Open
- 2025 Wuhan Open
She’s not the only player that fans named, though, as several other WTA stars got a mention.
“Iga Swiatek!” said one fan.
“Absolutely amazing player and person.”
“[Aryna] Sabalenka, but other than her, I would say Cristina Bucsa, she is becoming a fantastic player in both singles and doubles,” said another.
“Emma Navarro, she’s awesome and lovely,” added another fan on TalkingPoints.
In total, five players received multiple mentions.
TalkingPoints fans name their favorite WTA players
- Coco Gauff
- Elena Rybakina
- Iga Swiatek
- Emma Navarro
- Aryna Sabalenka
There were also several lower-ranked players named, including Eva Lys and Austrian teenager Lilli Tagger.
The problem with Alexandra Eala
It’s surprising to see that nobody named Eala as their favorite WTA player, but why didn’t she get the nod?
Well, for starters, she hasn’t been around that long.
While Gauff has been entertaining fans for over five years now, most only learned of Eala last year.
The 20-year-old hadn’t achieved anything of note on the WTA Tour before the Miami Open.
Alexandra Eala on the WTA Tour pre-2025 Miami Open
- 2021 Miami Open – Lost in Q1
- 2021 Winners Open – Lost in 2R
- 2022 Miami Open – Lost in 1R
- 2022 Madrid Open – Lost in Q1
- 2023 Australian Open – Lost in Q1
- 2023 Thailand Open – Lost in 1R
- 2023 Miami Open – Lost in 1R
- 2023 Madrid Open – Lost in 1R
- 2023 Japan Women’s Open – Lost in 1R
- 2023 Guangzhou Open – Lost in 1R
- 2023 Jasmin Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Australian Open – Lost in Q1
- 2024 Abu Dhabi Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Miami Open – Lost in Q2
- 2024 Madrid Open – Lost in 2R
- 2024 French Open – Lost in Q3
- 2024 Nottingham Open – Lost in Q2
- 2024 Wimbledon – Lost in Q3
- 2024 US Open – Lost in Q3
- 2024 Guadalajara Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Wuhan Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Ningbo Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Guangzhou Open – Lost in 1R
- 2024 Jiangxi Open – Lost in 1R
- 2025 Australian Open – Lost in Q1
- 2025 Singapore Open – Lost in Q2
She’s clearly made strides over the last 12 months, but it will take some time before she is considered as serious a contender as the likes of Gauff, Sabalenka, and Swiatek.
There are also question marks over Eala’s potential.
Who is the greatest women’s tennis player of all time?
While the youngster has established herself as a top-50 player, other than one brilliant week in Florida, there’s no evidence to suggest she can consistently beat the top players.
If she fails to take that next step, she will struggle to become the overwhelming fan favorite that Gauff is today.
Looking to bounce back from her Australian Open defeat, Eala will now head home for the new Philippine Women’s Open.
She will definitely be the fan favorite there!
The 2026 Philippine Women’s Open will begin on Monday, January 26.
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