Li has high hopes for Eala

Two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na of China believes Alex Eala will do great in the Australian Open unfurling on 17 January.

Li, who ruled the 2014 edition of the prestigious tournament, saw Eala’s potential following her performance at the MGM Macau Tennis Masters last week.

“I really love her personality and she’s played well and (she is) also so young, but she’s got a lot of experience. So, I believe she can do it much, much better (at the Australian Open),” Li said.

The former world No. 2 recalled what it was like playing in the main draw of the Australian Open for the first time.

“I remember the first time I was playing the third round against Maria (Sharapova) in the Rod Laver Arena. I was so nervous. I couldn’t even walk on the court,” she said.

“Even after finishing the match, back to the locker room, I was like, ‘Oh match is finished.’”

Eala admitted to being starstruck playing for Li during the exhibition event.

“Yes, she very much was someone I watched growing up. Of course, I think she was our leading lady for Asia when I was growing up, so just to stand beside her is such a joy,” Eala told Tennis Asia TV.

“There was a lot of growth, and I’m just so grateful, so blessed to have experienced all these milestones that happened in 2025.”

To ensure peak condition for the first Grand Slam of 2026, Eala will fly to New Zealand for the Auckland Classic from 5 to 11 January. She will then go to Australia for the Kooyong Classic on 13 January in Melbourne before plunging into her fourth career Grand Slam.