Alex Eala could win a Grand Slam if she copies one player, says 22-time major-winning legend

Ewan West 11 Nov 2026 7:00 AM

Alex Eala hits a backhand

WTA Tour legend Pam Shriver has praised Alex Eala’s game and given her verdict on the Filipina’s chances of winning a Grand Slam title.

Eala is set to end 2026 at a new career-high ranking of world No 15 after she started the campaign in 53rd position.

The 21-year-old amassed a 40-24 record at WTA Tour level this year, while she also compiled a 7-1 record at WTA 125/Challenger events, having played a total of 72 singles matches across 27 tournaments. She played a further three matches at the Asian Games.

The Quezon City-born star won her maiden WTA title at the Washington Open in August, while she was a runner-up at last week’s Hong Kong Open — which was her final event of the year.

Eala’s best Grand Slam result to date is reaching the fourth round at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, where she upset defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Shriver assessed Eala’s Grand Slam prospects and argued she could learn from Angelique Kerber — a left-hander who won three majors and reached world No 1.

“I think Alex Eala could learn a little bit from how Kerber won her major(s) with that serve,” said Shriver.

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“And then kind of really lean on what makes you special, which, for me, is her defence; it’s her ability to take the ball early, willingness to come to net, the intangibles, her attitude.

“So when you put the whole package together, if she has the belief, anything’s possible.”

Shriver — a winner of 22 Grand Slam doubles titles — shared her thoughts on Eala’s serve.

“Alex has a really good slice serve,” said the former doubles world No 1.

“It’s about spin and placement and disguise and varying the pace. There are a lot of things that go into making a great serve.

“And even if you don’t have a great serve, it’s really how you back it up. She backs it up really, really well. If she’s not having a good day serving, it doesn’t affect the rest of her game.”

The American, who reached world No 3 in singles, added: “I feel like her movement is exceptional. I love the way she uses angles.

“A lot of left-handers through the years, and it can develop; they just develop the appreciation of spin and the use of spin really well.

“I also have seen a great improvement on some of her weaker shots. Let’s just use the serve. That was so vulnerable a couple of years ago.

“But just overall, her attitude stays very positive.”