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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
MANILA — Alex Eala's meteoric rise continues to be taken notice, even by tennis legends.
Among them is Venus Williams, whom Eala played with as a doubles partner during the Bad Homburg Open in June and as a wildcard appearance at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada.
Williams had nothing but kind words for the 21-year-old, who has kept her status as a trailblazer of Philippine tennis.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner called Eala a "world star."
READ: Venus Williams praises Alex Eala: ‘Alex is a world star’
"It was amazing to play under the lights. I think we both thrive in pressure situations and you know, Alex is a world star. She's just incredible and besides the fact of her tennis, she's an incredible person, well-spoken, and just an impressive young lady," said Williams.
"I like being around those kinds of things. I think we both lift each other up," she added.
READ: Alex Eala, Venus Williams fall in National Bank Open doubles
After Eala's magical Wimbledon run, legendary champion Billie Jean King hailed the Filipina for inspiring kids locally and globally.
Eala by then dethroned reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2.
"She is the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16. Such an inspiration for kids in the Philippines and all over the world. Keep going for it, Alex," King wrote.
After winning the DC Open, marking Eala's first-ever WTA title, former world number one Jimmy Connors spoke of the Pinay star's game.
In his "Advantage Connors" podcast, the eight-time Grand Slam champion shared how he liked Eala's form and how she is "knocking on the doors."
"I like the way that she plays. She is left-handed, she takes the ball early, she is not afraid to be aggressive on the returns and in the way she plays," said Connors.
"It is very refreshing to see that from her and she is knocking on the door. Keep knocking on those tournaments and good things will happen. It's already started for her."
Connors also noticed Eala's huge fan base and how she could maximize this advantage against her opponents.
"How good is that? It pushes her. It puts in her mind that I am doing this for myself, but I am bringing people down on the court with me to get behind me. That is intimidating. I like that, I like it when the crowd gets involved and is a part of it, and pushing them and not being afraid to show it," he said.
READ: Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick chimes in why Alex Eala can 'get away' with her slow serve
Andy Roddick, another former World No. 1, chimed in on why Eala could "get away" with her "slow serve," which is coined on the internet as "fookelya serve."
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" to their arsenal.
"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.
"The 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," he said.
READ: Tennis: Alex Eala falls to Anisimova, exits Cincinnati Masters
Eala will be participating in the final Slam this year — the US Open — where she will be donning a blue kit from Nike.
With her Round of 32 exit from the Cincinnati Open, she will have enough rest as she eyes a deep run in the prestigious tournament.
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