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Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

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Alex Eala names her best friends on the WTA Tour after becoming more social recently

Max Kilham
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Alexandra Eala has advanced to the Indian Wells fourth round following Coco Gauff’s retirement from their third-round match.

Eala was leading 6-2, 2-0 when Gauff was forced to retire from their blockbuster contest due to an arm injury.

It was the second time the pair have met in as many months, following Gauff’s victory over the Filipina at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

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
acatoutofthebag15
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tauson or sasnovich, it’s a toss-up. coming back from 1–5 vs tauson and 0–4 vs sasnovich isn’t just tennis, it’s high-stakes cinema. those scores prove eala is as much an entertainer as she is a fighter. her grit is what makes her matches legendary.

1
dancatman
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Definitely Iga, she is definitely a level above the other two most of the time.

christopher.kennelly.1976
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Many successful players excelled in doubles, Barbara Krejcikova for starters...

1
11 comments

With victory over Gauff, Eala has once again demonstrated her status as one of the best young talents on the WTA Tour alongside Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva.

And following her victory over Gauff on Sunday evening, Eala discussed which young stars she considers to be her closest friends on the WTA Tour.

Alex Eala reveals her best friends on the WTA Tour

Speaking to the Tennis Channel after the match, Eala said: “I think this year one of my resolutions, and maybe even before that, was to try and be more social and come out of my shell a bit.

“I am happy to say that I have built a lot of really great friendships on Tour. This week I played with Iva Jovic, we are really good friends. She is super good fun.

Iva Jovic of USA and Alexandra Eala of the Phillipines celebrate after winning their first round doubles match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Venus Williams of USA during day one of the 2025 ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 05, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“Others that I’m really good friends, one of my best friends not just on Tour but in life, is Zeynep [Somnez]. I have grown really close with her. Also Victoria Mboko.

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“I am surrounded by so many amazing women. Eva Lys, Iva Jovic. And also that half Filipinos being on tour, I have really bonded with them.

“So I am really grateful I am able to build these sort of friendships because we can understand each other. It’s just girlhood.”

Tournament (2026)LevelSurfaceResultFinal Opponent
ASB Classic AucklandWTA 250HardSemifinalistXinyu Wang
Australian Open 2026Grand SlamHard1st RoundAlycia Parks
Abu Dhabi Open 2026WTA 500HardQuarterfinalistEkaterina Alexandrova
Dubai Tennis Championships 2026WTA 1000HardQuarterfinalistCoco Gauff
Indian Wells Open 2026WTA 1000HardRound of 16 (ongoing)beat Coco Gauff to reach the fourth round

Eala and Jovic, aged 20 and 18, have played together twice on the WTA Tour so far this season.

The pair first teamed up at the ASB Classic, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan.

In Indian Wells, the duo lost in their first round to Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste.

The pair also played each other in doubles four years ago for the US Open Girls’ Doubles event.

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
acatoutofthebag15
Featured comment

tauson or sasnovich, it’s a toss-up. coming back from 1–5 vs tauson and 0–4 vs sasnovich isn’t just tennis, it’s high-stakes cinema. those scores prove eala is as much an entertainer as she is a fighter. her grit is what makes her matches legendary.

1
dancatman
Featured comment

Definitely Iga, she is definitely a level above the other two most of the time.

christopher.kennelly.1976
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Many successful players excelled in doubles, Barbara Krejcikova for starters...

1
11 comments

Alex Eala and Mirra Andreeva’s 2022 US Open doubles partnership

Alex Eala and Russian star Mirra Andreeva teamed up for the 2022 US Open Girls Doubles event.

The pair, who have gone on to become top 30 singles players on the WTA Tour, were seeded fourth at the event and consequently, were one of the favourites to win the title.

In the first round, they easily dispatched Iva Jovic and Shannon Lam, beating the American wildcards 6-2, 6-2.

The pair were due to take on Carolina Kuhl and Ella Seidel for a quarterfinals berth. However, they withdrew from the event, handing Kuhl and Seidel a walkover.

Eala was also competing in the singles event and she went on to win her sole junior Grand Slam singles title, beating Lucie Havlíčková in the final.

Alexandra Eala of The Philippines with the winner's trophy after her victory against Lucie Havlíckova of the Czech Republic in the Girls Singles Final during the US Open Tennis Championship 2022 at the USTA National Tennis Centre on September 10th 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Eala also won two junior Grand Slam doubles titles: the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

News

Stan Wawrinka’s personal record has been usurped by Carlos Alcaraz after his latest win

Max Kilham
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Carlos Alcaraz continued his excellent start to the 2026 season with victory over Arthur Rinderknech on Monday.

After losing the opening set, Alcaraz roared back to claim a 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over the Frenchman.

The pair shared a short conversation after the match, with Rinderknech joking that he does not want to play Alcaraz again.

Which member of the ‘Big Three’ is Carlos Alcaraz most similar to? Let us know why below👇

2026 Australian Open - Day 15
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
beresbailey69
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He has the best things about the big 3, shots and angles like Nolè, Federer finesse, Nadals work rate and shot selections. He's phenomenal to watch, like the Ronaldinho of tennis

rockyoda
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It does not matter and shouldn't. Each one is an individual.

googlyrezshaheen99
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Federer

1
10 comments

It was Alcaraz’s 14th consecutive win of the season, and he is looking to win a third consecutive title of the year in Indian Wells following triumphs in Melbourne and Doha.

With his latest victory, Alcaraz has once again entered the history books.

Carlos Alcaraz has surpassed Stan Wawrinka’s best start to an ATP season

By winning his 14th consecutive match to start the year, Carlos Alcaraz, at the age of 22, has already beaten Stan Wawrinka’s best ever start to an ATP season.

Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, won 13 matches in a row to start the 2014 ATP season, winning the Chennai Open and Australian Open during this run.

Stan Wawrinka’s start to the 2014 ATP season

TournamentOpponentScore
Chennai OpenBenjamin Becker6-3, 6-1
Alijaz Bedene6–2, 6–1
Vasek Pospisil6–4, 5–5, ret
Edouard Roger-Vasselin7–5, 6–2
Australian OpenAndrey Golubev6-4, 4-1, ret.
Alejandro Falla6–3, 6–3, 6–7(7–4), 6–4
Vasek PospisilWALKOVER
Tommy Robredo6–3, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–5)
Novak Djokovic2–6, 6–4, 6–2, 3–6, 9–7
Tomas Berdych6–3, 6–7(1–7), 7–6(7–3),7–6(7–4)
Rafael Nadal6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
Davis CupDusan Lajovic6–4, 4–6, 6–1, 7–6(9–7)
Indian WellsIvo Karlovic6–3, 7–5
Andreas SeppI6-0, 6-2

Wawrinka beat some of the best players in the sport’s history during the winning run, including Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic.

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Wawrinka’s run was ended by Kevin Anderson, who beat the Swiss maestro 6–7, 6–4, 1–6 in the fourth round of Indian Wells.

Alcaraz has moved past Wawrinka and now has Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Jannik Sinner in his sights.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland arrive for practice on Court Philippe Chatrier in preparation for the 2023 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on May 25, 2023, in Paris, France.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Agassi, one of the only men to complete the ‘Career Grand Slam,’ recorded the sixth best start to an ATP season 1995 when he won 15 matches in a row.

Federer, meanwhile, recorded his best season in 2006 when he won 16 matches in a row to start the season.

Jannik Sinner equalled Federer’s record in 2024, winning the Australian Open during his own 16-match win streak.

Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray… who is the greater player? Let us know why below 👇

scarletarabesque
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Stan beating no. 1 every time, out of nowhere, in that era is not to be ignored or forgotten. But Andy is superior by FAR.

johnspeedwalk0996
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He won three glams .Three different slams.Edge to Stan.However both deserve respect for winning slams in the big three era.

sutheraj
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Stan publicly acknowledged Andy as the better player a few years ago; both great guys and a credit to their sport.

16 comments

The best start to an ATP season in tennis history

In 2011, Novak Djokovic recorded the most impressive start to a season in men’s tennis history.

The Serbian star won a stunning 41 consecutive matches to start the 2011 season.

Djokovic was undefeated from the start of the Australian Open to the French Open semi-finals, winning the Australian Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells, Miami Masters, Serbia Open, Madrid Masters and Rome Masters.

His run was ended by Roger Federer, who defeated Djokovic 6–7, 3–6, 6–3, 6–7 in the French Open semi-finals.

The best starts to ATP seasons in history…

Streak Player
41Novak Djokovic (2011)
26Novak Djokovic (2020)
20Rafael Nadal (2022)
17Novak Djokovic (2013), Roger Federer (2018), Pete Sampras (1997)
16Roger Federer (2006), Jannik Sinner (2024)
15Andre Agassi (1995), Novak Djokovic (2023)

Djokovic ended the year with a 70-6 record on the ATP Tour. His 2011 season is widely regarded as one of the greatest in tennis history.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

News

Liam Broady surprised by what he saw from Cam Norrie during his victory over Alex de Minaur at Indian Wells

Max Kilham
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Cameron Norrie produced one of the biggest upsets on the ATP Tour this year by beating Alex de Minaur on Monday.

Norrie, the world number 27, beat De Minaur 6-4, 6-4 in Indian Wells and now has a big opportunity to reach the quarter-finals.

The British number two, who won the Californian title in 2021, will play world number 117 Rinky Hijikata in round four. Hijikata, from Australia, caused another upset by beating Alexander Bublik in round three.

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

Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images
bamamatt7
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Allow umpires to overrule the digital line calls. Their have been a few wrong calls that they were unable by rule to do so in 2025.

matthewlareese
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Nah ive seen 10 balls dribble over on serve. That would be unfair to play

karelrosenzweig
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Karel R - one serve only as players win around 50% after their second serve anyway. With two serves the game is so boring as it is so predictable - you serve you win I serve I win.

1
16 comments

Norrie was particularly clutch down the stretch against De Minaur. After surrendering one opportunity to serve for the match, the pressure was on the British star’s shoulders heading into the final game at 5-4.

However, Norrie maintained his composure to see out the contest, and British player Liam Broady was left surprised by the way in which Norrie did so.

Liam Broady was surprised by Cameron Norrie’s volleying against Alex de Minaur

Norrie, who is renowned for being more of a counter-puncher, produced some excellent attacking tennis to overcome De Minaur on Monday.

The 30-year-old was in scintillating form when approaching the net, winning 17 of his 19 net points.

This particular element of his performance was identified by Jonathan Overend and Liam Broady, who were both quick to shower Norrie with praise after the match.

Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Overend began the discussion by praising Norrie’s composure when closing out the match. The British star, who could take the British number one spot from Jack Draper this week, produced two superb volleys in his final service game to close out the match.

“We were on the edge of our seats, weren’t we, Liam?” Overend said during Sky Sports’ live coverage. “What a terrific all-round performance but particularly the finish under pressure.

“He’s just dropped his serve the first time he served for the match to keep it together and then play two of his best points right the end.”

Liam Broady, the former world 93, continued to sing Norrie’s praises, again focusing on Norrie’s net play.

“So good, yeah” he said. “And I think we pointed out a second ago as well: for Cam to have gone 17 out of 19 points, that the net is an incredible stat for anyone on tour, let alone Cam Norrie, who’s renowned really for being an aggressive counter-puncher.

Cameron Norrie’s Indian Wells path…

  • Fourth Round: Rinky Hijikata
  • Quarter-finals: Carlos Alcaraz / Casper Ruud
  • Semi-finals: Novak Djokovic / Jack Draper / Daniil Medvedev / Alex Michelsen
  • Final: Jannik Sinner / Alexander Zverev

“And when it came down to it, right at the death of the match, he’s closed out with two fantastic backhand volleys that were reminiscent of Roger Federer in his prime almost.”

Overend continued: “And the approach shots as well were really accurate. It was almost like the way De Minaur would play that point. He was on the other side of the net.

“I mean, that was a dismantling of one of the best players in the world. And Cam Norrie is certainly a player who now has a number of big-name scalps on his CV.

“Considering where he was last year, Liam, in the clay court season, down just outside 90 in the world, to get back to this level, what an effort.”

Broady concluded the discussion by expressing his surprise regarding Norrie’s level of play at the net.

Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray… who is the greater player? Let us know why below 👇

scarletarabesque
Featured comment

Stan beating no. 1 every time, out of nowhere, in that era is not to be ignored or forgotten. But Andy is superior by FAR.

johnspeedwalk0996
Featured comment

He won three glams .Three different slams.Edge to Stan.However both deserve respect for winning slams in the big three era.

sutheraj
Featured comment

Stan publicly acknowledged Andy as the better player a few years ago; both great guys and a credit to their sport.

16 comments

He said: “Yeah, it’s incredible. And he’s made Alex de Minaur look, you know, distinctly average today. Of course, de Minaur came out with some fantastic tennis, but Cam really looks like he’s trying his hardest to be more aggressive out there. There’s times perhaps in the past where he’s waited for opponents to miss.

“He’s looking to get up there at every opportunity and volleying surprisingly well. I didn’t know Cam volleyed as well as he does and I’m sure he’ll be pleased with that performance today, dominating with the forehand, backhand through the court and getting up to the net.”

How can Cameron Norrie become British number one?

Before the tournament began, Cameron Norrie was sat above Jack Draper in the ATP live rankings – as Draper had yet to defend any of his 1000 Indian Wells points.

If Norrie is to finish the tournament ranked higher than Draper, he must go one round further than his compatriot.

Photo by Tony O'Brien/Getty Images

There is every chance that Norrie could do so. While Norrie faces a player ranked outside of the top 100 in the fourth round, Draper faces five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic.

Of course, if both Draper and Norrie advance to the quarter-finals, Norrie would be unlikely to take the British number one spot from Draper. After all, Norrie would most probably play Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight.

However, Norrie would certainly have more than a puncher’s chance if he were to play Alcaraz. The British star has a 3-5 record against the Spaniard and beat him in their last match at the 2025 Paris Masters.

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