MUBADALA DC OPEN

August 1, 2026

Alexandra Eala

Press Conference

A. EALA/N. Osaka

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Alex, congrats. You're through to the final. How are you feeling?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I'm feeling great. I thought it was a really good match, so I'm really proud of my performance.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What do you think was working most effectively for you today? Because it seemed like -- it was close in score, but you seemed comfortable in the match the whole way.

ALEXANDRA EALA: I think the quality of my shot was pretty good today, and I did pretty well returning. She's obviously a great server. Some of the first balls were really good, as well. So I think, yeah, those things, yeah.

Q. You spoke with Renee in your post-match interview about how you were locked in throughout, regardless of what's going on. It sounds easier in theory, but I'm sure it's not. So how are you able to do that so effectively and just compartmentalize and focus on everything on the court and nothing that's going on around you?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think it comes with experience and also preparation. I talked a lot with my coach before the match, like I do every match, but then you know kind of what the stakes are, and you know what level you kind of have to bring in order to compete against these types of players.

So, yeah, a combination of those things.

Q. When you finally are able to take a second and enjoy the moment, what are the emotions during those times and in those situations like after a win today?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Really happy. I was able to call my family, and they all watched, so we were celebrating. Yeah, just joy, excitement, and of course, we're excited for tomorrow.

Q. Your service game, you don't just win the games on your service game. You win them very dominantly. You had two love holds to start the third set. You don't let opponents get back into those games or into the points. After the serve, you charge and you try to take control of that. Is that strategy? Where does that come from, that design to do that and not give opponents any chance on your serve to even get a point?

ALEXANDRA EALA: On my serve? Yeah, I mean, I try to do it when I can. I think I've said before that every game is an opportunity, especially when it's your serve. When you serve, you start the point, so that's kind of the advantage that you have.

That being said, it really depends on the day. Some days I get broken to love, and some days I hold to love, and that's just part of the game. Yeah, I really cherish those I guess easy -- not easy, but holds to love or kind of where it's not really like a deuce. They help, yeah.

Q. This is your second WTA final. In the history of this tournament there's rarely been someone that's come through that's beaten the caliber of players that you have. You've beaten an Olympic gold medalist, the No. 10 player in the world. You play the No. 3 player in the world tomorrow. Naomi is a former No. 1. You beat the defending champion. It's a roster of some of the best women players in the game. I know your strategy on the court doesn't change, but can you appreciate the level of -- you're not just winning matches, but you are beating some of the best players in the women's game.

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yes, going into this tournament, I looked at the list, and it was, like, jam-packed. It was big player after big player after big player. So to be in the final really means a lot to me.

I think I am really happy with how I performed and how I've conducted myself on court against these caliber of players. So I really hope to keep the momentum moving, not just at this tournament, but for the rest kind of of the hard-court swing, yeah.

Q. Obviously this is your second tour-level final, and you'll be playing for arguably the biggest title of your career. Looking back at Eastbourne last year, I guess going into that match, kind of how were you feeling? Were you, like, extremely nervous for it being your first tour-level final? Over the course of the past year do you feel like you've grown in that aspect in terms of approaching big matches?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think, well, Eastbourne is so meaningful to me. I look back at the final. The whole week in general, but the final especially.

I don't know, I really loved that match. You know, I lost, but I had a lot of chances. Incredible match. I watch the highlights; so good. And the memories I made with my team, because I had my whole team there, it was also really nice.

Like you said, I think I've developed a lot in the past year, and at least in my perspective, I've been put in, to me, what are big matches, you know, more often than before. So I think I'm a little more experienced in handling that.

But that being said, like he said, all of the matches I've been playing have been big matches. I'm going to do my best again to just bring out the best level that I can tomorrow, yeah.

Q. Are you someone who looks at rankings or pays attention to kind of where you're at? You're close to a new milestone, and I was just wondering how much importance you either put in in reaching those goals or pressure to reach them, or are you someone who more sort of goes tournament by tournament and whatever happens, happens?

ALEXANDRA EALA: I look at rankings from time to time. It's not, like, something I'm checking after every match, you know, and I'm lucky enough to say that at this point it's where I feel it kind of tapers off. You know, like the higher you go, the steeper it gets, right? To every spot you move or at least now I feel like every spot I move is kind of -- it's a big gap, right?

I think my main focus is to win with more matches. Obviously the priority is kind of the level that I produce in such matches, and I think if I'm able to reach those levels at a consistent kind of pace, then of course, the ranking will follow.

I'm not someone who says kind of, like, oh, hard stop, I need to end the year by this, because you never know what can happen throughout the year. Health is a big priority. You know, it's just such a long season, so you don't know what's going to happen. Also, I don't want to put the cap to where I can get.

So, yeah, I guess it's just taking it period by period, yeah.

Q. Obviously tomorrow you'll face another tough test in Jess Pegula. Last year in Miami you had an epic battle out there. I'm curious, did you learn anything from that match that you've carried with you? Can you also just share some insight into tomorrow's championship?

ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think Jesse is a really good player. I mean, not I think. She is a really good player. I think she hits quite a flat ball, makes the opponent uncomfortable, or at least I felt uncomfortable last time.

I think I did a good job in certain points last year of, like, holding my ground. Like I won the second set.

But, yeah, I think there will definitely be a certain set of challenges. You know, she is where she is for a reason, so I'm going to try to face it head on and do what I can.

Q. I don't know the whole match, but I saw after the first set you had won more than 90% of your second-serve points, which might be surprising because your second serve on the radar gun looks slow, but it's very -- you're winning the points. So can you sort of explain what you do with that serve to make it so effective that's not just about velocity?

ALEXANDRA EALA: You know, yeah, I think that I -- my serve can be uncomfortable. I think I try to play around a lot with variety.

You know, of course, it would be great if I had a serve that went 200 kilometers per hour. Love that also, but it's a process. Who knows? I'm not going to put the cap on my serve. Maybe I will one day serve 200. You never know (smiling).

I like to look at it as a multi-dimensional thing. I have a variety of weapons in my bag. I think it's also a good thing that I don't rely on my serve alone, although I'm standing by it's dependable sometimes.

But, yeah, I'd like to think that I have a good variety of shots.