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Alexandra Eala has made a perfect decision ahead of Indian Wells which could boost her chances

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After a brilliant run at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Alexandra Eala will now head to Indian Wells for the first time in her career.

Eala is seeded at Indian Wells, which boosts her chances because she can now not play another seed until the third round at the earliest.

The star has reached a career ranking high of world number 32 following strong performances in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Manila.

Ahead of her very first appearance at Indian Wells, Eala has made a wise decision ahead of the Masters tournament.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts to defeating Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the third round on Day Four of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, part of the Hologic WTA Tour at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Alexandra Eala avoids doubles at Indian Wells

Eala has opted to play doubles at several high-profile tournaments this year, which has increased her already hectic schedule.

The Filipina star has paired with Janice Tjen, Iva Jovic, and Ingrid Martins so far at the ASB Classic, Abu Dhabi Open, and the Australian Open.

What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔

Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?

Alexandra Eala of Philippines celebrates victory over Jamine Paolini of Italy during her women's singles match on day three of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, part of the Hologic WTA Tour at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 17, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images

While the 20-year-old has enjoyed some success in doubles, it’s far from sustainable when she is attempting to climb into the upper echelon of the WTA Tour.

The star has not been included in the players’ list for the Indian Wells doubles draw, which is a decision that should be applauded.

With just the singles to focus on, and with seeded entry, there is every chance Eala could go on a lengthy run in Indian Wells.

The star will be looking to earn as many ranking points as possible before she has to defend her semi-final appearance at the Miami Open.

Alexandra Eala’s climb up the rankings could end soon

Eala’s incredible run over the past year has seen her soar up the rankings, but her progress could soon come to an end unless she makes a major jump to the next level.

The Filipina is on the cusp of the top 30, but there is a big jump in ranking points between the top 30 and the top 20.

What does Alexandra Eala need to improve in 2026 to challenge for a Grand Slam title?

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts while playing against Ekaterina Alexandrova in their quarter final match during day five of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Zayed Sports City on February 05, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images

Anna Kalinskaya at World No. 23, is nearly 400 points better off than Eala, so it would require a huge swing for her to climb into the top 20.

Eala would need to start regularly reaching the latter stages of events, or winning a major event, in order to continue climbing the rankings.

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Diego Schwartzman predicts where he would be ranked in this era of tennis if he was playing in his prime

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Diego Schwartzman straddled two eras in tennis between the end of the ‘big three’ and the start of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance.

The Argentine spoke exclusively to Tennishead about his new role with INTENNSE and his impressive tennis career.

Schwartzman said how many Grand Slams Alcaraz and Sinner could win and now he has had his say on the current era of tennis.

The former world number eight has now shared where he would be ranked if he was playing in this era during his peak.

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Diego Schwartzman says he would be ranked higher in this era

Schwartzman reached a career ranking high of world number eight in his career, but he believes he could be ranked even higher in this era.

Asked in an exclusive interview with Tennishead where he would be ranked in this era, if he was playing in his prime, he responded: “It’s difficult, difficult to say.

“But I mean playing my best level with different options to play, I think I would reach the quarter-finals in the Grand Slams, for sure. [I’d be ranked] a little bit more than eight, four or five maybe.”

If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?

Mystery player (top left) in a circle overlay and an overview of Court One
Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Schwartzman reached the quarter-finals of the US Open and the semi-finals of Roland Garros, but he struggled comparatively at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

The Argentine only managed as far as the third round at Wimbledon on two occasions, and he went one further in Melbourne.

Schwartzman reached the fourth round of the Australian Open on two occasions, in 2018 and 2020, but never reached the latter stages.

Diego Schwartzman shares the best chance he had to win a Grand Slam

Schwartzman reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2020, where he set up a match with Nadal in the final four.

The Argentine had just knocked Rafael Nadal out of the quarter-finals of the Italian Open, and he conceded that Roland Garros was one of his best chances to win a Grand Slam.

“I mean, I played too many good tournaments in Roland Garros and always, always, I lost to Rafa. Three times in the second week, you know, semi final, quarters, another time quarters.

What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?

“My feeling at that time, it was, yeah, I’m playing good tennis, good, very good to be in the semi final, maybe Grand Slam final, but Rafa was always in front.

“You know, that’s why he won so many Roland Garros titles. Meeting Rafa in Roland Garros was impossible for me.”

Schwartzman lost 11 of his 12 matches against Nadal, with his only victory coming at the 2020 Italian Open.

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Andre Agassi responds when asked if the Laver Cup will come to Brazil

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Andre Agassi was one of the brightest sparks of the 2025 Laver Cup as he became a team captain for the first time.

The American legend oversaw Team World’s surprise victory against Team Europe in San Francisco, as the likes of Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur overcame Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

Agassi was an excellent presence at the Laver Cup and he will continue in his role when the tournament hits London in October.

The eight-time major winner is currently at the Rio Open and he discussed the chances of the Laver Cup ever being hosted in Brazil.

Andre Agassi of the United States looks on as he enters the arena during the Opening Ceremony ahead of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Andre Agassi would love the Laver Cup to come to Brazil

Many fans were disappointed when the Laver Cup was announced to be returning to London, as the tournament’s ethos had previously revealed it wanted to hit spots that didn’t often get high-profile tennis.

Asked if the Laver Cup could come to Brazil, Agassi said: “There’s a lot that goes into making an event like this happen in a calendar year with such a heavy demand on the players’ schedules.

“The location is also very important, that it stays in flow of their access to the next tournament. There’s a lot of considerations. Laver Cup has done a great job in figuring out the working logistics to make it as successful as possible.”

If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?

Mystery player (top left) in a circle overlay and an overview of Court One
Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

However, Agassi did concede that a Brazilian Laver Cup event would be an excellent choice by the decision-makers.

“To play here with that format, with that event, would be remarkable. This is a very passionate sports country and I’ve always seen it firsthand, the Brazilians coming out to cheer their favourites.

“I picked up my first win here in 1987. I’ve learned first hand what a passionate environment Brazil can bring to any sporting event, let alone such a great one with the Laver Cup.”

Andre Agassi shares what tennis fans have told him about the Laver Cup

The Laver Cup has been a popular addition to the tennis calendar since Roger Federer introduced the Ryder Cup-style format in 2017.

The biggest stars in tennis have flocked to the event, including Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Federer.

Federer even opted to retire at the event in 2022 and Agassi has shared that some fans have lauded the Laver Cup as superior to Grand Slams.

What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?

At the Rio Open, Agassi said: “It’s a very intense weekend of tennis and I met many fans who have been to many Grand Slams and they’ve been to the Laver Cup, and you’d be surprised how many of them would choose the Laver Cup if they only had one choice.

“Because of just how intense that weekend can be and the uniqueness of seeing so many different styles of match-ups to playing with your peers. The guys show up with such intensity when it’s time to play.”

The Laver Cup has been hosted in Prague, Chicago, Geneva, Boston, London, Vancouver, Berlin, and San Francisco since its inception.

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Jack Draper’s first coach explains what surprised him about the star in their first session

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Jack Draper is far and away Britain’s best hope of winning a Grand Slam in the near future, in both the men and women’s draws.

The British number one won his first Masters title in 2025, as well as reaching a career ranking high of World No. 4.

Draper has been marred by injury issues since the 2025 US Open, with an arm injury derailing the last six months of his career.

With his return to the ATP Tour imminent, Draper’s first-ever coach has shared his opinion on what the British star was really like in his early career.

Jack Draper of Team Great Britain plays a volley during a practise session prior to the Davis Cup Qualifier first round match between Norway and Great Britain at Nadderud Arena on February 04, 2026 in Oslo, Norway.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF

How Jack Draper shocked his first-ever coach when he was a child

Appearing on Coachlife, Draper’s first-ever coach, Justin Sherring, detailed what his first session with the British star was like.

“I remember working with Jack Draper the first time I saw Jack. His mother brought him to me and said, ‘Look, I think he’s pretty good.’ And I was like, ‘Well, he’s he’s still pretty young.’

“This guy turns up at sort of five or six years old and looks at me and sort of checks me out. I thought I was checking him out. I thought I was giving him a trial. He was definitely giving me a trial,” he said.

Who is to blame for Jack Draper’s injury issues?

Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

He revealed that Draper’s championship-winning mentality could even be seen when he was a child learning the game.

“So even at that young age, five, six years old, I felt like most sessions were a bit like a job interview. I felt the stress of that like I have to be good enough for you.

“And I will always say thank you. I will always be very grateful for the pressure that Jack put on me for about 10 years.

“I think in the end we started to get a bit more relaxed. Of course we did. But there was definitely that sense of look, this is serious to me.”

Draper also worked with Ryan Jones and latterly James Trotman as he made his way into professional tennis.

The British star is currently working with Andy Murray’s former coach Jamie Delgado as he prepares to return to the ATP Tour.

Jack Draper’s first coach received huge praise for aiding his development

Sherring has received acclaim for his work with Draper following his immense success in the professional game.

Speaking to the LTA, Draper’s mum lauded Sherring for helping the British star evolve into a professional athlete.

Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?

Where will Jack Draper be ranked by the end of 2026?

She explained: “It was around this time that Jack started to be coached by Justin Sherring at Weybridge Tennis Academy.

“Justin worked with him from 2006 until 2016, until he was 15. He was absolutely brilliant for Jack and he played a massive part in his younger development.”

Draper made his professional debut in 2018, just two years after splitting with Sherring.