Alex Eala reveals what Caty McNally said to her at the net after Canadian Open win

Alex Eala, the 21-year-old tennis superstar whose play this year has seized the world’s attention, has revealed what her Canadian Open opponent, Caty McNally, said to her at the net.

Eala is in the Round of 16 at the WTA 1000 event and will next face Belinda Bencic, who holds ten Tour titles, the most prestigious of which is the 2021 Olympic gold medal.

The young Filipino star has left the tennis world stunned after numerous victories against Top 10 opponents, including slaying defending champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon earlier this summer.

Eala claimed her first Tour title last month in DC at the Washington Open, a WTA 500 event, and is currently ranked at #20 in the world with an array of sponsorships, and her career total earnings are stacking up.

Against McNally, an American professional ranked #70, the 21-year-old prevailed in a two-set-to-one victory, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, in over two and a half hours.

The American fought valiantly, staving off a double break point at 3-4 in the third, but failed to break back and crashed out of the Canadian Open.

Eala reveals what slayed opponent McNally told her at the net post-match

Speaking to the press after her victory, Eala said: “There was a huge mutual respect for the match that we had; she told me ‘Congratulations’. And she said, ‘Thanks for letting me be a part of this.’

“That was incredibly kind and gracious of her. Super gracious, [I have a] lot of respect for Caty," she continued.

The 21-year-old confessed that she was extremely tired during the match and will do her best to recover in time to face Bencic, as the Filipino looks to stack more Tour titles ahead of the US Open.

Eala was recently compared to Serena Williams by former British #1 Greg Rusedski after a breakout year that has left tennis fans with the feeling that she will become a multi-Grand Slam winner. The Filipino tennis superstar's fanbase was also likened to that of Taylor Swift by Sky Sports presenter Gigi Salmon, who described watching Eala play in Dubai as akin to the musician playing a concert.

The youngster has also been compared to Emma Radacanu, whose extraordinary level in 2021 led her to lift the US Open title and become the first qualifier to ever lift a Grand Slam title in the modern era.

Eala will have her opportunity to replicate that success — although not as a qualifier — with wins against Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina proving that no competition is too tough for the Filipino athlete on her day.

First up is Bencic, ranked 14th in the world, who made it to the same stage as Eala at Wimbledon, but crashed out to American superstar Gauff in a tightly-fought contest.

Tomorrow's event will be the first time these players have faced off; the 21-year-old is entering on a seven-match singles win streak, and Bencic is playing her first tournament in little under a month since Wimbledon.