Gilbert warns Eala of rankings drop

Former American tennis player and coach Brad Gilbert believes Alex Eala faces a critical challenge heading into the 2027 season, warning that her ranking could slip if she fails to improve her serve.

Gilbert, who was a former coach of world No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States, said the 21-year-old Filipina needs to develop more variety and pace on her delivery to compete with the world’s best, pointing to the physical demands of her current playing style.

Eala is currently taking a break after a historic campaign in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour which saw her reach a career-best No. 15.

“I feel like she is closer to going backwards than she is moving into the top 10,” said Gilbert, who reached No. 4 during his heyday.

“The big shot for her, without a doubt, is that she does not have much leftiness whatsoever and no pace on her serve.”

He added that Eala’s relatively slow first serve makes it difficult for her to gain an advantage early in rallies, forcing her to work harder throughout matches.

Gilbert, who won 20 singles titles, urged Eala to make improving her serve a priority during the offseason, suggesting she could draw inspiration from 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal’s delivery.

“It is so physically demanding the way that she plays, because she hits so many 73 miles per hour first serves that literally she just starts the point and by the end of the tournament she is taped up like a mummy,” the California-born Gilbert said.

“I think she is going to massively have to improve the serve. If she can incorporate a little leftiness and trains at it in the [Rafa] Nadal academy, maybe she could watch a few Rafa highlights of how he got it out there, and get her serve plus one to improve.”

Eala faces a huge task ahead in 2027 as she needs to retain points in certain tournaments to stay within the top 20 of the WTA rankings.

Her Grand Slam runs in the French and US Open as well as her title defense in the Washington Open will be crucial as she will have to retain the points she earned.

Gilbert said Eala could still reach the Top 10 if she makes the necessary adjustments, but warned that failing to do so could lead to a slide in the rankings next year.

“If she can do that, I think she can be a top 10 player but if she does not improve her serve this off season I would say her ranking goes backwards in 2027,” Gilbert said.