"She can do it much, much better”: Li Na praises Alexandra Eala’s determination for Australian Open debut

The two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na spoke about Alexandra Eala’s prospects at the upcoming Australian Open, where the Filipina will make her debut. Eala was one of the stars at the MGM Macau Tennis Masters, an exhibition tournament where she played a unique mixed doubles match in which the 20-year-old was the only woman on court.

Li Na served as the captain for the team featuring Eala alongside local player Jerry Shang and Frenchman Ugo Humbert. They faced Conchita Martinez’s team, which included her trainee Mirra Andreeva along with Yibing Wu and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

On the first day of competition, Li Na sent Eala and Shang out for the mixed doubles. Since Andreeva was unable to play due to illness, Wu and Davidovich Fokina paired up, resulting in a rare mixed doubles match with Eala as the only female player on the court.

Captain Li Na was delighted with Eala’s personality and attitude during the match, as well as her performance in Sunday's singles duel. On that day, Andreeva was able to compete and secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Filipina.

"I remember first time I played third round against Maria [Sharapova] in the Laver Arena. I was so nervous I didn’t know if I could walk on the court," Li Na remarked regarding Eala’s courage in facing challenges. "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 Na was the first Grand Slam singles champion born in Asia, male or female, back in French Open 2011, where she defeated to Francesca Schiavone. Later in 2014, she wonr the Australian Open after defeating Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 7-6, 6-0. The former world No. 2 had previously lost in Melbourne final in 2011 against Kim Clijsters and against Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

Eala prepares for her first time competing in the main draw of the Australian Open following a notable 2025 season, during which she achieved her first victory in a major tournament back at the US Open. The Filipina has competed in the Melbourne qualifying rounds for three consecutive years but was eliminated in the first round each time.

"I’m so excited. I’ve been preparing this whole preseason," Eala commented regarding her upcoming debut at the Happy Slam. "I haven’t had much success in the Australian Open in the qualies before, but I’m hoping that will change in the main draw. Every year is a different story. I’m so open and so eager to be out on that court."

The world No. 53 will begin her season on January 5 at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where she will be the 4th seed in a draw that includes players such as Elina Svitolina, Emma Navarro, and Iva Jovic, as well as the presence of former world No. 1 Venus Williams.