Alex Eala’s Grand Slam chances questioned after Rennae Stubbs’ serve critique

Former Serena Williams coach and ex‑doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs said on her podcast that Alex Eala’s serve would prevent the Filipina from ever winning a Grand Slam, adding that a similar issue affects Jessika Pegula. Stubbs praised Canadian Victoria Mboko’s mental toughness despite a recent knee ligament injury that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open.

Eala responded that her serve offers variety and can improve, noting she would like to reach 200 km/h but sees it as a process. She continued her breakthrough season at the Mubadala DC Open, defeating Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez and Elina Svitolina before reaching the final against Pegula. The win would lift her into the world’s top 25.

"I think my serve can be uncomfortable… I try to play around a lot with variety," Eala said after her semifinal win, emphasizing that her game is multi‑dimensional and not reliant on a single weapon.