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Filipina tennis star Alex Eala practices ahead of Singapore Tennis Open round-of-16 match, September 23, 2026. Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News
Coach Sandro Viaene talked about Alex Eala's game ahead of her second-round match against Tatiana Prozorova at the Singapore Tennis Open.
Viaene said they "didn't change a thing," advising the Filipina tennis star to just keep on playing like she always does.
"Keep playing how she was playing, but indoor court," said Viaene. "Nothing changed for us."
With the ball behaving the same way every time, he said, indoor conditions suit Eala's game.
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Viaene has been in Singapore for almost a week, with some days at two tennis sessions plus fitness and others at just one. The plan is set the day before. Before that, the team spent three days in Manila, practicing twice at Colegio San Agustin indoor courts.
Eala arrives in the Asian swing off winning the WTA 500 title in Washington, D.C., a strong run in Toronto and a solid US Open. Viaene, who watched much of it on television before seeing her in person again, says the difference is obvious up close.
"She's hitting harder. She was doing good, but now even better."
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He said there's no single secret behind it. She's stronger, more aware on court and quicker around it: "It's a combination of many things."
The American swing, he added, was a continuation of her good grass-court season.
Viaene looked back on the incredible match Eala had with Iva Jovic at the US Open. He called it "insane" and said it was a great show for the spectators. "Young players that they want everything," he said. In the third set, both players seemed determined to out-hit the other, and he agreed. "They wanted to hit harder than the opponent all the time."
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Viaene is very proud of Eala's success story since she came to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca at around 13.
"I said many times, I think she deserves it, because she works very hard."
What makes her a dream to work with? "Very coachable. She listens, she wants to learn."
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The mentor credited the team's communication for the progress. He is in constant contact with head coach Joan Bosch, even when he's not on the road, and they watch matches and do their "homework" together. Bosch, Eala, Lluc, Mike and Rizza are, in his words, "one," with everyone knowing the next step.
Right now, Eala is focused on the match versus Prozorova.
Prozorova, he says, is a known fighter and Viaene isn't taking her lightly. "There is no easy match," he said, noting that she's dangerous during the Asian swing, and that with a match already behind her, she's a step ahead. Eala, by contrast, is playing her first match in about two weeks. "One match, everything can happen."
After Singapore comes the Asian Games. Viaene is "super excited," but he's keeping it to one day at a time. "Once we finish this tournament, we can start thinking about Asian Games."