Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala faces Japan's Himeno Sakatsume in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open Round of 16 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on January 28, 2026.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala faces Japan's Himeno Sakatsume in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open Round of 16 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on January 28, 2026. Eala booked a spot in the quarterfinals after beating Sakatsume 6-4, 6-0. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

Former WTA Top 10 player and  now The Tennis Channel analyst CoCo Vandeweghe had high praise for rising Filipina star Alex Eala after witnessing firsthand the electric crowd support surrounding the 20-year-old.Vandeweghe made sure to stay at Center Court in Indian Wells to watch Eala&#x27;s match against Coco Gauff on Sunday night, as she wanted to witness the player&#x27;s passionate fanbase in person.Eala wound up progressing to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open after Gauff retired with an arm injury.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/9/alex-eala-advances-to-indian-wells-round-16-after-coco-gauff-retires-1029">READ: Alex Eala advances to round of 16 in Indian Wells after Gauff retires</a></div>&quot;I wanted to hear the Filipino fans because I&#x27;ve never seen Alex play live,&quot; Vandeweghe said. &quot;My impression of the Filipino fans was so amazing. That&#x27;s why I stayed to watch the night match, to hear the fans and feel the energy.&quot;Vandeweghe, a former junior US Open champion, was impressed with the atmosphere at Stadium 1 and noted that Eala draws crowds whenever she plays. Aside from her skill level and fanbase, however, Eala&#x27;s maturity also drew praise from the American.&quot;Maturity for Alex is one of the best things she has going for her game,&quot; Vandeweghe explained. &quot;Sometimes mentality isn&#x27;t something you can teach. She has such an even head on her shoulders and it&#x27;s so impressive.&quot;She pointed to Eala&#x27;s composure on big stages as a key factor behind her rapid rise in the rankings and top 10 upsets.&quot;Even playing someone like Coco Gauff, she stayed mentally focused and didn&#x27;t let anything bother her,&quot; Vandeweghe said. &quot;A lot of young players get overwhelmed by the crowd and place but Alex handles it so well.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/9/tennis-as-achievements-pile-up-alex-eala-seeks-to-go-past-her-limits-1454">READ: As achievements pile up, Alex Eala seeks to go past her limits</a></div>Vandeweghe credited Eala&#x27;s parents for how she has been dealing with the hype around her.&quot;I have to give a special nod to Alex&#x27;s parents,&quot; Vandeweghe said. &quot;They raised an amazing daughter who has humbleness, but also the hunger to chase titles.&quot;Vandeweghe added that Eala&#x27;s professionalism extends beyond the match itself. &quot;She spends time with the Filipino fans, signing autographs and taking photos,&quot; she said. &quot;She&#x27;s one of the most mature people I&#x27;ve met.&quot;With Eala now firmly inside the world&#x27;s top 30 at just 20 years old, Vandeweghe believes the Filipina&#x27;s future on the tour could be long and successful.&quot;If she stays healthy, she could be here for 16, 20 years, who knows,&quot; she said.Asked if a Grand Slam title could be in Eala&#x27;s future, Vandeweghe did not hesitate: &quot;She&#x27;ll definitely be contending, for sure.&quot;

Former WTA Top 10 player and now The Tennis Channel analyst CoCo Vandeweghe had high praise for rising Filipina star Alex Eala after witnessing firsthand the electric crowd support surrounding the 20-year-old.

Former WTA Top 10 player and now The Tennis Channel analyst CoCo Vandeweghe had high praise for rising Filipina star Alex Eala after witnessing firsthand the electric crowd support surrounding the 20-year-old.

CoCo Vandeweghe all praises for Alex Eala's maturity, mentality

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CoCo Vandeweghe all praises for Alex Eala's maturity, mentality

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 10, 2026 02:03 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

tennis

Indian Wells

BNP Paribas Open

CoCo Vandeweghe

Alex Eala

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