Former British No 1 Annabel Croft believes Alex Eala is developing a presence on the WTA Tour that is hard to ignore, both in the dressing room and in the stands.

Since the left-hander’s run to the semi-finals at the 2025 Miami Open, interest in Eala has grown rapidly. The support behind the 21-year-old, driven by a large Filipino fan base, has helped turn her into one of the most talked-about players on tour. That attention has been matched by results, with Eala climbing to a career-high ranking of 18 after a strong summer that included her first WTA Tour title in Washington and a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek.

At the Canadian Open this month, Eala once again drew huge crowds in Toronto, creating an atmosphere that impressed Croft. The former world No 24 said she had never seen anything quite like it and was struck by how comfortably Eala handled the noise and expectation.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Croft said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. The stadium, you could not get a seat. The noise, the excitement levels, and she just takes it all in her stride. And you could see in Washington what she brings to the court and she plays with such grace.

“There’s a certain class about her. I love her attitude. I love the way she goes after the ball. She’s a very deceptive tennis player. Being a lefty, she’s quite awkward, but that forehand… it’s not a huge strike, but it does damage.”

Croft also pointed to Eala’s serve, saying her left-handed delivery can unsettle opponents through spin, placement and variation. She drew a comparison with Angelique Kerber and argued that repeated wins over top 10 players are building a reputation that matters on tour.

“I would imagine that she has built up some kind of locker-room respect right now where you build a certain aura and then that counts for quite a lot on the tour as well because players don’t want to face you because of the record that she’s building up.

“There’s something awkward about a lefty serve, a little bit like Kerber. I remember she didn’t have a big serve, but it was so well placed into the court. But also when you put a lot of spin on it and it sometimes has less pace on it, you’re forcing your opponents to generate pace and they start to get a bit jittery.

“She keeps notching up the big wins, but she’s also backing up the pressure wins. She plays under a lot of pressure with all of that excitement from the Filipino community. They turn out in their droves to watch her. That for some people would be a pressure, but she embraces it. She loves it.”

Asked about Eala’s prospects at the US Open, which begins on Sunday, Croft stopped short of calling her a contender. Even so, she felt few players would be eager to see her name in the draw in New York over the next two weeks.

“She’s obviously somebody who enjoys being on a big stage. There will be a lot of players that won’t want to face her because she’s very in form. And I think the hard courts really suit her game.”

Alex Eala has lined up another notable stop in an already crowded 2026 calendar, announcing an exhibition in her home country shortly after appearing alongside her father in a US Open show match.

The 21-year-old continues to build a strong season. She has compiled a 38/20 record, lifted her first WTA Tour title in Washington earlier this summer, and climbed to a career-high ranking of 18. At Flushing Meadows, where she is seeded 17th, she opens against a qualifier.

Eala’s schedule remains full for the months ahead before the season wraps up in Indian Wells, where the top eight players in the world will contest the WTA Finals. Even so, the left-hander remains an outside prospect for that event, which is set for 8-15 November. In the meantime, she has confirmed an exhibition that she hopes will have a wider impact back home.

In early December, Eala will play at Philippine Arena, Bulacan, against world no 35 Janice Tjen. She said the event is designed to encourage younger players and celebrate national pride. In an Instagram post, she told her fans, “I’ve got exciting news, I’m coming home on December 8th. I’ll be playing in the Philippine Arena against Indonesia’s Janice Tjen.

“Get ready for an unforgettable day of world-class tennis and the celebration of national pride designed to inspire the next generation of Filipino tennis players. I can’t wait to share this moment with you and celebrate our culture together.”

She also noted that tickets are now on sale and added, “Thank you so much for all your support going into the US Open.”

That US Open week also brought a lighter moment on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Eala met close friend Iva Jovic in an exhibition. Jovic won 6-3 in a match that featured a brief mixed doubles section with both players’ fathers on court. Eala and Jovic could still meet later in the tournament, with a possible third-round clash on the table.

Legendary coach Rick Macci has put Alexander Zverev forward as the favourite for the 2026 US Open, while warning against rushing to back Carlos Alcaraz.

With world No 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury, Zverev moves into the top-seed position for the final Grand Slam of the season. Alcaraz is seeded second, followed by Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic. Under ordinary circumstances, Alcaraz would be viewed as the leading contender, but his return from a wrist injury has created uncertainty around his chances.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner has not played a singles event since April and arrives in New York after four months away from the tour. He did, however, return this week in the US Open mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams, and there were enough encouraging signs to prompt some observers to place him at the front of the title race.

Macci, who coached Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick during their early careers, was not persuaded. “Everybody take a deep breath as Carlos will have a lot of Rust and it will take the REST OF THE YEAR to clean off the Dust,” he wrote on social media. If he survives his first match to me that is a win/win and if the wrist if fine let the comeback begin.

“Believe it or not, he should not be the favourite to win the title because for 5 months he has been idol [sic idle]. You do not walk off the street compete have confidence and feet and in real combat the best players you beat.”

Macci also pointed to Zverev’s opportunity, suggesting the draw has again opened the door for the German to claim a second major. Alcaraz’s wrist problem stopped him defending his French Open title in May, while Sinner was beaten in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Djokovic fell in the third round to Joao Fonseca.

That sequence cleared the way for Zverev to win his first Grand Slam, and Macci believes a similar pattern can now play out again. “I look for Zverev to bag his second major mainly because the two best players by far with a stick (CARLOS AND JANNIK) would be the pick,” he wrote. “But the Flamethrower is hurt and the Magician last played 5 months ago on dirt.

“Christmas has come early for the big serving Germ [sic] it is his major to lose unless he checks out get mad and then he might squirm.”