Watch as Eala soaks up ovation from her fans after defeat to Parks
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Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters insists that Alex Eala must be protected after becoming tennis’ answer to “Michael Jordan in the Philippines” during a breakout year on the WTA Tour.The world No. 31 shot to fame in her homeland after becoming the highest-ranked player in its history.
Eala became the first Filipino to reach a tour-level final in the Open Era at the 2025 Eastbourne Open, the cherry on top of a 12-month period that also saw her beat former Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.
The 20-year-old will get another chance to show what she can do at the highest level at Indian Wells next month.
Ahead of the tournament, four-time Grand Slam winner Clijsters has called on the sport to protect Eala from the growing euphoria surrounding her.
“She’s been around people with a mindset that demands a lot but is also very focused on: you have to put in the work, you are respectful,” said Clijsters during an episode of her ‘Love All’ podcast. 
Watch raucous scenes as Eala wins set with bagel and her adoring fans go wild
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“And she’s been around that environment, and I think there’s no coincidence that she has the results that she has.
“But I think it’s very important for her to be a little bit protected from the craziness that comes with that all as well. And just the ability to keep focusing on what she has to do.
“[She has to] deal with this life of being like Michael Jordan in the Philippines.
“People just think it’s online, and it’s in the news and everything, but it’s not easy, I think, to deal with changes like that, so quickly.”
Eala’s talent was nurtured at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she built a strong relationship with the Spanish tennis legend.
Rafael Nadal has been a vocal supporter of his protegee since she first burst on the scene, going as far as practising with her despite his retirement.
Clijsters believes that the Spaniard has been protective of his former pupil, particularly in the wake of her defeat against Alycia Parks at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Eala attracted a massive crowd for her main-draw debut Down Under, but Clijsters thinks her popularity can be a tricky element to deal with.
“Having that support, we saw it this year after the Australian Open where Rafa spoke out about being a little bit of a protector for her as well,” added Clijsters, who won the US Open in 2005, 2009 and 2010 as well as the 2011 Australian Open during her illustrious career.
“Because when she lost to Alycia Parks at the Australian Open in a close three-setter, she also got a lot of hate from her fans and from the Philippine world, and the fans that support her from her home country.
“So there’s a lot of new things that she’s dealing with at such a young age.
“She’s been in Spain for many years, since I think she was 13 – she moved to Spain and trained at Rafa’s academy.”
Eala is one of the seeded players in the main draw of Indian Wells this year.
Mirra Andreeva came out on top in the women’s singles at the tournament last time out, but a host of big names will be hoping to dethrone her next month.
Eala could potentially go head-to-head with tennis legend Serena Williams, with rumours swirling that the icon of the sport could make a sensational return.Watch and stream live tennis – including the 2026 French Open – on TNT Sports and discovery+