EXPLAINER: What makes Alex Eala's return game strong?

Alex Eala stands 5 feet 9 inches.

According to an expert, this is an optimal height for a tennis player to maintain her balance. This, combined with a unique mix of techniques, gives Eala a distinct advantage in delivering powerful returns.

In fact, according to WTA statistics, Eala wins points from returning serves 44.5 percent of the time.

Eala herself credited her solid return game as one of the keys to her victory against elite server Naomi Osaka in the Mubadala DC Open semifinals. Retired tennis legend and three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters also commended how well Eala read Osaka’s serves.

But what exactly makes Eala’s return game so strong?

In Eala’s returns, a mix of common and uncommon techniques come into play.

First, her stance.

Eala establishes a wide, stable base as she prepares to receive the serve.

“Usually, a good base is shoulder-width apart for the feet. But for the return of serve, you should have a wider than shoulder-width apart,” said Prof. Adjani Aguilar, a sports biomechanics expert.

A wide base, combined with a forward lean, keeps a player low and balanced, giving them the stability and flexibility to move quickly in any direction as they return the serve.

“If you don't have a low base, then it's going to be harder for you to improvise. Sometimes you get pushed back. If you lean backward or you just go straight up, you lose balance,” Aguilar said.

Eala also holds her racket high and ready as she prepares to return the serve.

“If your racket is up, it's easier for you to move the racket in the direction that you want than when your racket is down,” Aguilar said.

“You have to have a short takeback in returning serves. If your takeback is long, you will be late to the ball,” he added.

While most players stand behind the baseline during the return of serve, Eala stands inside the baseline, especially during second serves.

According to Aguilar, standing inside the baseline allows Eala to hit the ball early, taking time away from her opponents to react.

“Once you're inside the baseline, that's a split second faster. You're going to be returning the serve a bit faster than when you are outside the baseline,” Aguilar said.

And while standing inside the baseline can be risky, Eala uses the position to attack the serve early.

It also puts pressure on the opponent, knowing their serve could immediately come back as an aggressive return.

“There is an advantage if you are behind the baseline for a second serve. Because if you are not confident in your return of serve, then you can just, especially if the server hits a fast second serve, you can just get outside the baseline,” Aguilar said.

“But if you are a good returner like Alex, just take the risk and get inside the baseline, just a few inches inside the baseline. So it's basically pressuring your opponent into serving really,” he added.

Being left-handed also gives Eala a strong advantage against right-handed servers.

According to Prof. Aguilar, right-handed players usually get an advantage when they serve towards the backhand of their right-handed opponents.

But when faced with a lefty like Alex, that same serve goes toward the forehand instead.

Analysts are also commending Eala’s anticipation of her opponents’ serves.

According to Prof. Aguilar, anticipation is not simply about guessing where the ball will go.

It’s about reading your opponent’s game and tactics, then timing your body’s movement to respond.

“One of the best qualities of many good receivers, including Alex, is that they time the ball well on the toss when the server tosses the ball,” Aguilar said.

“Okay, as the server tosses the ball, the receiver plans his or her split step. And then, as the server hits the ball, the receiver jumps a bit and then times the ball perfectly,” he added.

Doing a split-step engages body movement, allowing rapid directional changes to prepare for the return.

“if you're not moving, if you're just stationary, it's going to be harder for you to change direction. However, if you split step as you jump, you can easily change direction. So that is the science behind the anticipation,” Aguilar said.

And while a strong serve may start the point, Eala’s quick return can shift the momentum.

“Alex might not have the best serve, but she has one of the best returns in the game. And that is an advantage because today, the modern game actually is more concerned with the return of serve,” Aguilar said.

“So I would say that if you can't be a good server, then be a good returner,” he added. –NB, GMA News