Just In: Alex Eala Faces a Major US Open Crossroads as Her Risky Decision Raises Fresh Concerns, with Tennis Fans Urging the Rising Filipino Star to Think Carefully Before Making Her Next Move
Alex Eala will need to be sensible if she is to achieve her potential at the US Open this year.
Eala won her first WTA title in Washington D.C. earlier this week, and is perhaps at the peak of both her tennis and popularity right now.
The Filipina will try to continue her momentum at the Canadian Open, where Eala will play Alycia Parks in the first round.
Eala is now also confirmed to play doubles with Venus Williams in Toronto, which could be a risky decision ahead of the US Open this year.
Alex Eala could be playing too much ahead of the US Open
Eala has played doubles with Williams before, having competed together in Bad Homburg ahead of Wimbledon this year.
They were set to join forces again at the Washington Open, but Eala chose not to play with Williams after claiming she did not have the capacity to play both singles and doubles.
Eala went on to play a full week of singles in the US capital, where she was sporting some taping on her left arm, and now she will have a short turnaround for the Canadian Open.
The Canadian Open is a big tournament, but Eala should be prioritising her fitness to peak for the US Open.
Having claimed that she did not have the capacity to play both singles and doubles last week, it appears surprising that Eala is now able to do so.
Playing with someone like Williams will always be a big honour, but it is not like Eala has not done this before and she should perhaps have been advised differently.
Alex Eala could have her best ever opportunity to win a Grand Slam at the US Open
Eala is still only 21 years old and very much in the early years of her professional tennis career, but the US Open may actually be her best ever chance to win a Grand Slam.
In her rise up the rankings, Eala’s serve has been a big topic of discussion as a potential weakness, despite players seemingly being unable to figure it out.
While players are currently unable to figure it out and the rest of her game, Eala needs to be taking advantage of this at the US Open.
Eala is likely to keep improving her game, including her serve, but players are also likely to figure her out more and exploit her weaknesses more.
This is even more of a reason why Eala needs to be prioritising her schedule and therefore body so that she is in peak condition for the Grand Slams.
Eala losing early at the Canadian Open may not be the worst thing in the world, as it means she will have time to recover and then be fresher for both the Cincinnati Open.
This could very well happen, as Eala could play Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova if she beats Parks.
While in the doubles draw, Eala and Williams will play the pairing of Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the first round.
