"World-Class" Talent Alex Eala Receives Expert Technical Advice on Serve Following Miami Open Opening Success

Danielle Collins and Jimmy Arias analyze Alex Eala's performance at the Miami Open, highlighting her "world-class" pace absorption and technical serve needs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Recognizing "World-Class" Potential

The rise of Alex Eala has caught the attention of the tennis elite at Hard Rock Stadium. During a recent segment on Tennis Channel, former world No. 7 Danielle Collins praised the Filipina’s unique skill set, specifically noting her exceptional ability to absorb pace from hard-hitting opponents. Collins described Eala as a "crafty" player whose defensive capabilities are already at a world-class level, allowing her to neutralize power and turn matches into strategic "tug of war" battles.

The Technical Hurdle: Power and the Serve

Despite her defensive strengths, analysts have identified a specific vulnerability in Eala’s game. Former ATP world No. 5 Jimmy Arias noted that her second serve lacks the necessary depth and velocity to keep top-tier opponents from attacking. Arias suggested that as a left-handed player, Eala could benefit significantly from widening her service placement. He further analyzed her technique, pointing out that she is not yet fully utilizing her "kinetic chain"—the sequence of energy transfer from the legs through the torso to the shoulder—to generate maximum power.

A Challenging Fix for Future Growth

Improving a professional serve is rarely a simple task, according to Collins. She explained that for many athletes, the service motion is either a natural physical gift or a technical challenge that requires intense focus on biomechanics and physical conditioning. To reach the next level, Collins suggests Eala must "dial in" on her technique and focus on building specific leg and shoulder strength. Strengthening the second serve would prevent aggressive returners from stepping into the court and dictating the point early.