Serena Williams' ex-coach makes 'almost impossible' claim about Alex Eala's biggest weakness

Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci has revealed how he thinks Alex Eala was “incorrectly” taught an important aspect of tennis during her formative years.

Eala has risen to prominence in recent weeks after becoming the first-ever Filipina to win a WTA 500 title when she triumphed at the Washington Open, defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final on August 3.

The 21-year-old has since grown in popularity on social media while also teaming up with global brands to supplement her income from tennis.

And she didn’t have long to celebrate her victory in Washington as she also participated in the Canadian Open, beating Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 in the round of 64 before overcoming Caty McNally in the round of 32, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

However, her run was halted by Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in the round of 16, with the European winning 6-4, 6-0.

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Next up, she will compete at the Cincinnati Open, taking on Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the round of 64 in what will be the final test before the fourth major of the season, the US Open, which commences on August 30.

Eala urged to correct biggest weakness in off-season

Despite already cracking the top 20 in the WTA rankings, veteran coach Macci, who has previously worked with Andy Roddick, both Williams sisters, Maria Sharapova and Jennifer Capriati, believes there’s a huge weakness in Eala’s game, and it could cost her.

Posting on social media, he wrote: “Almost impossible to change Eala’s serve ’till the off season. This is heavy-duty, in-depth reconstructive surgery, all science-based with a biomechanist.

“Any tip, suggestion, tweak or change is a band-aid. She is smooth, relaxed, and flowing but was taught incorrectly as a junior when growing [up].

“Number one culprit on the WTA Tour, the leg drive does not initiate racquet entry at the proper time. If you do millions of anything, it will get better, but the timing will never be like Federer.”

This came after he previously posted a separate statement on social media, in which Macci detailed the impact of her current service technique.

He explained: “If Eala gets biomechanical help on the serve fasten seat belt. With the human eye and at 400 frames per second the timing of the leg drive to innate the racquet entry is 100% off.

“This causes a decrease in acceleration and the right side to open too early and head to drop. This is the main culprit. Another smaller ticket item is since she uses a pinpoint stance when the backfoot comes up it is too much to the outside of the right foot causing an early over rotation of the other side.

“Being a lefty she has an advantage and if this is reconstructed I can see a 115 mph lefty laser and more that will provide a breathtaking Philippine sunset and she will win more sets!”

But Macci’s comments were not all negative, with the coach also praising Eala’s “lethal strikes off both wings."