Alexandra Eala of the Philippines at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman, Getty Images/AFP
Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick explained how Filipina tennis star Alex Eala can "get away" with a relatively slow serve, even using it to her advantage against Top 10 players such as Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.
Eala, according to Roddick in his podcast “Q&Andy,” is able to “crush” the next ball after her serve — an aspect of the lefty star's game that she had turned into a weapon this year.
Roddick was asked during the podcast whether tennis players can add an “Eala-like slow serve” and add it to their arsenal.
READ: Alex Eala turns back Pegula, makes history with DC Open title
“Here’s the difference — it’s not just, anybody goes out there, hits a slow serve, and gets away with it. It’s Eala’s ability to crush the next ball if you don’t square up that return,” said Roddick.
“[T]he difference is it’s not just making the serve or hitting a good return. It’s against Eala. If you don’t square it up, she’s able to hit that middle ball, both directions, with pace on the next shot.”
Roddick added that the reigning DC Open champion's ball-striking ability complements her slow serve.
“You can’t take someone who doesn’t have Eala’s ball striking ability or ability to hit directionally to the corners and just say, ‘I’m going to serve slower against Iga Swiatek’. Welcome to your death,” said Roddick.
READ: Eala to face Ruse in Cincinnati Open second round
“That’s not the way it works. It’s being able to create enough pace to offset what Eala is trying to do on that next ball. I think Eala’s serve or second serve, especially, is probably more effective with the slower version than if it was 10mph faster,” he went on.
“Like I think she’s starting to kind of figure out how to use it as well and maybe not being obsessed with pace, but like, ‘I’m going to throw you this one and you better hit it’. You better hit it firm. Otherwise you’re going for a ride on the next ball.”
READ: Alex Eala ousted in Toronto by Bencic
Eala, now the World No. 20 in women's tennis, recently triumphed DC Open before absorbing a Round of 16 exit at the Canadian Open.
She seeks to make waves once more at the Cincinnati Open, where she is facing Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the second-round after getting a first-round bye.