Alex Eala exited the 2026 Stuttgart Open in the first round on Tuesday, after a straight-sets loss to Leylah Fernandez sent her packing from Austria's Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Fernandez beat Eala 6-1, 6-4 in 1 hour, 28 minutes, using her forehand to dictate rallies early and keep the 20-year-old Filipina star from settling into the match. Eala dropped the opening set quickly before finding more rhythm in the second, but Fernandez controlled the key points.
The first set laid the foundation. Fernandez won 20 of the first 26 points while repeatedly targeting Eala's backhand side and finishing points with aggressive forehand patterns. Eala struggled to hold serve early, never finding consistent length.
However, Eala responded in the second. She steadied her groundstrokes, held serve more comfortably, and pushed Fernandez into longer exchanges. Fernandez then raised her level late, breaking at 4-4 before cleanly serving out the match.
The result ends Eala's first main-draw Stuttgart Open appearance, a key clay-court stop ahead of Europe's spring swing and another chance for Eala to test herself against the sport's top-ranked players. It also follows her recent quarterfinal run at the 2026 Miami Open, where she put together one of the best results of her young career before falling short of the semifinals.
That bigger picture still matters. Eala's rise over the past year has included deep runs at WTA-level events while expectations continue to grow for the top young tennis prospect.
Alex Eala Gears Up for 2026 Madrid Open After Stuttgart Open Exit
While her Stuttgart Open run ended earlier than expected, Alex Eala will look to bounce back at the 2026 Madrid Open, where she's set to play her first WTA 1000 clay event of the season.
The Madrid Open kicks off on April 21st, giving Eala another chance to build momentum as she continues adjusting through the WTA's spring swing.
While Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is still set for May 16th, the blockbuster MMA card has already taken an early hit.
Former UFC and Bellator veteran Lorenz Larkin withdrew from his scheduled welterweight bout against Jason Jackson due to a knee injury, removing one of the more notable fights from the undercard just weeks before the event.
Larkin announced the news on social media this week, confirming the injury and apologizing for the late change. His bout is one of 11 fights on the books before the main event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
However, despite the setback, the spotlight remains firmly on women's MMA stars Rousey and Carano.
The two MMA pioneers made their first public appearance together last month to promote the Netflix event. This marked a historic return for both fighters.
"There are no two people in this sport with more international name recognition than me and Gina. Except Conor [McGregor], but no one is going to sanction that," Rousey said.
Rousey, 39, last fought in 2016 before stepping away from MMA and starting a family. She said she proposed the matchup more than a year ago while pregnant, pinning her comeback on this specific matchup.
"This is the only fight I wanted to come back for, the only fight that can inspire me like that," Rousey said.
Carano, who turns 44 next month, has not competed since 2009. She was the first major women's MMA crossover star before transitioning into film and television, helping lay the foundation for the sport's growth.
Even with Larkin out, the card still carries major names. Francis Ngannou will face Philipe Lins, while Nate Diaz and Mike Perry will also square off. MVP and Netflix will move forward as planned, with a replacement for Jackson reportedly being explored.
How to Watch the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix MMA Fight
Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions is behind the fight, running in five five-minute rounds on May 16th on Netflix.
Raven Johnson is officially teammates with guard Caitlin Clark, and the newly drafted Indiana Fever guard says she's most excited to share the floor with her former NCAA rival.
Indiana selected the South Carolina standout with the No. 10 overall pick in Monday night's 2026 WNBA Draft, as the Fever paired one of the draft class's top defensive guards with Clark and center Aliyah Boston.
Johnson's game gives Indiana needed versatility. She pressures the ball, pushes tempo, and can take on tough defensive assignments — skills that should complement Clark's ace scoring and playmaking.
Built-in familiarity in the locker room will likely help ease Johnson's transition to the pros. She'll reunite with former South Carolina teammate and mentor Boston in Indiana, while joining a Fever team with real title expectations.
But for Johnson, Clark presents the ultimate draw. She made that clear in an interview with Overtime after hearing her name called on Monday.
"She is a phenomenal player," Johnson said. "I mean, with the things she does, it's bar standard. She can shoot the ball, can lead a team, and they win. Like, she has a winning mentality. And I think that's the biggest thing."
That mindset is likely to contribute to Johnson's fit at Indiana, after the 23-year-old helped South Carolina capture two national titles while becoming a top perimeter defender.
Raven Johnson Shares History with Fever Teammate Caitlin Clark
However, the new teammates share a contentious history. Johnson was on the other side of a defining 2023 Final Four moment, when then-Hawkeye Clark waved her off an open 3-point shot during Iowa's upset win over South Carolina.
Now that rivalry must transform into a backcourt partnership, as Indiana tips off the 2026 WNBA season with real postseason expectations.
"[Johnson's] a competitor from one of the greatest programs from college basketball, and she's won at the highest level," said Fever COO and GM Amber Cox.
"We were just so pumped when she was available at No. 10. We know she's going to come in here and compete really hard and create great depth in our backcourt rotation."
Hannah Stuelke did not hear her name called in last night's 2026 WNBA Draft, leaving the former Iowa forward to pursue the next step of her professional career as an undrafted free agent.
Stuelke entered Monday's event as a projected second- or third-round pick, before all 45 selections came and went without the Iowa senior captain coming off the board.
The result was surprising given her production and resume. Stuelke spent four seasons at Iowa and played a central role in one of the program's most successful stretches in history, including back-to-back national championship game appearances alongside superstar Caitlin Clark.
For Stuelke, her senior season counted as one of her most complete. She averaged 13.4 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds while shooting 53.6% from the field. She also led Iowa with 20 eight-rebound games while earning her third All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
Finishing her collegiate career with 1,565 points and 910 rebounds, the 6-foot-2 Cedar Rapids native became just one of four players in Hawkeyes history to pass 1,500 points and 900 rebounds.
Those stats indicate Stuelke could still become the 21st Iowa product to enter the pros via either the WNBA draft or free agency. Undrafted players are permitted to sign training camp deals and compete for roster spots before the regular season opens. Several teams around the league need frontcourt depth, and Stuelke's rebounding, efficiency, and big-game experience could keep her in the mix.
Now, Stuelke's focus shifts from setback to opportunity. Her path to the WNBA may be less direct than expected, but her Iowa resume might be strong enough to set her up for a shot at the next level.
Raven Johnson is headed to Indiana after the Fever selected the South Carolina guard with the No. 10 overall pick in Monday's 2026 WNBA Draft, setting up a reunion with former Gamecocks star Aliyah Boston.
The pick gives Indiana another versatile guard as the franchise continues to build around Caitlin Clark and Boston. Johnson brings perimeter defense, pace, and playmaking to a Fever backcourt that needed more depth heading into the season.
The reunion with Boston adds immediate familiarity. Johnson arrived at South Carolina just as Boston was finishing her final collegiate season, and the two helped the Gamecocks win the 2022 national title. However, Boston's influence stuck with Johnson well beyond that championship run.
“It’s so crazy,” Johnson said. “[Boston] taught me so much through my college experience. She taught me what pro habits were… her leadership, [being] a role model, it goes a long way. She is a phenomenal person and instills so much in young people. There’s no way you don’t want to play with somebody like that.”
Johnson leaves South Carolina a two-time national champion, 2026 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the best perimeter defenders in the 2026 WNBA Draft class. She averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals last season while helping lead the Gamecocks back to the Final Four.
2026 WNBA Draft Pick Raven Johnson Teams Up with Caitlin Clark
There is history with Clark, too. Johnson was on the other side of one of the most memorable 2023 Final Four moments, when Clark waved her off an open 3-point shot during Iowa's upset win over South Carolina.
Now, that college rivalry must translate into a professional partnership. Johnson joins a Fever team with playoff expectations and a veteran core already in place.
"They have a lot of vets that I can learn from and they’re winners,” Johnson said. “Everybody on that team likes to win. I think that’s what makes that team special."
Olivia Miles is headed to Minnesota after the Lynx selected the TCU guard with the No. 2 overall pick in Monday night's WNBA draft.
The pick gives Minnesota one of the most polished guards in her class while addressing a clear backcourt need. Miles enters the WNBA as an elite passer and lead creator, adding another layer to a Lynx team that finished with the league's best regular-season record last year at 34-10.
Miles earned the No. 2 slot with a standout final college season at TCU. After transferring from Notre Dame, she played in all 38 games and averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. She helped lead the Horned Frogs to a 32-6 record, a second straight Big 12 title, and an Elite Eight run while also winning Big 12 Player of the Year.
Her resume stretches beyond one season. Miles leaves college a three-time AP All-American and one of the most creative playmakers in recent draft classes. Her court vision, pace, and ability to create in transition made her a lottery lock in most mock 2026 WNBA drafts.
Minnesota's fit is also part of the story. The Lynx already have a veteran core led by Napheesa Collier — who recently received a core qualifying offer — and Courtney Williams, which should ease Miles's transition to the pros.
At the Draft, Olivia Miles took time to reflect on her journey to the WNBA.
"Deep breath, that's why I got emotional," Miles told reporters. "It's finally here, finally heard my name. This is what this was for."
With the No. 2 pick, the Lynx added yet another player who can help keep the perennial contender in the title conversation ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
2026 WNBA Draft No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd is in for a raise, as rookie salary increases show just how much the new WNBA CBA has impacted player pay across the league.
The Dallas Wings selected Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick in Monday night's WNBA Draft, making the UConn guard the latest face of a new financial era. Fudd will earn a $500,000 base salary as a rookie — the highest first-year payday in league history.
The 2026 WNBA draft class will see a large salary increase under the new CBA 😳 pic.twitter.com/28I9xGb7D8
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) April 13, 2026
That number stands out even more in context. Indiana's Caitlin Clark made $76,535 as the No. 1 pick in 2024, while fellow Wing Paige Bueckers earned $78,831 as last year's top pick. Fudd is now in line to make more than six times Bueckers's rookie salary just one year later.
Her contract also escalates quickly. Fudd is set to make $520,000 in 2027 and $572,000 in 2028. And should Dallas exercise its team option, she could subsequently earn $646,360 in 2029.
The jump comes directly from the WNBA's new CBA. The CBA raised the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million while also increasing revenue share. That shift reshaped rookie scale contracts across the board, giving the 2026 WNBA Draft class a dramatically different financial starting point.
However, Fudd assured reporters that she's focusing on more than the paycheck in Dallas.
"I can't wait," Fudd said. "Obviously, Paige (Bueckers), Arike (Ogunbowale)... I can't wait to learn how to play with them. Learn how they play, their style of play, and how I can contribute."
The rest of the class will also benefit. First-round picks are expected to take home an average of $386,000 as rookies. In comparison, last year's first-rounders averaged roughly $75,000 per year.
As the No. 1 pick, Azzi Fudd enters Dallas with both heightened expectations and an unprecedented deal, broadening the WNBA's horizon for future generations.
Azzi Fudd is back at No. 1 in ESPN's latest WNBA mock draft, with the UConn guard now projected to go first overall to the Dallas Wings in Monday's 2026 WNBA Draft.
ESPN's final 2026 mock draft marks another shift at the top of a draft class that's lacked a clear consensus No. 1 pick. Over the past month, ESPN has also projected Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, and Awa Fam in the top spot, underscoring how fluid the board has remained.
Fudd's rise reflects both fit and upside. Dallas already has size in the frontcourt and could pair Fudd's perimeter prowess with reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers in the backcourt. The pairing would give the Wings two elite shot creators, as the franchise looks to rebound after going 10-34 in 2025.
Fudd now enters the draft after one of the most complete stretches of her college career. She helped lead UConn to the 2025 national title while earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. She followed that run with a productive senior year that reestablished her as a top guard.
However, the 23-year-old's recent NCAA tournament campaign proved uneven. Fudd scored 31 total points on 12-of-39 shooting across her final three games, though her long-term profile remains strong. She shot 42.2% from 3-point range over her college career, a mark that continues to separate her on draft boards.
That skill translates. Fudd creates off movement, spaces the floor, and has shown she can score efficiently in big moments, making her one of the safest guard prospects available.
Now, the focus shifts to draft night. Whether Dallas follows ESPN's projection or goes in another direction, Fudd has already etched her name in women's basketball history.
How to Watch Azzi Fudd at the 2026 WNBA Draft
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce tonight's draft live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage starting at 7 PM ET.
Earlier programming includes the WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 PM ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 PM ET), will all coverage also available for streaming via the ESPN App.
Kelsey Plum is staying in Los Angeles after agreeing to a one-year, $999,999 deal with the Sparks, a team-friendly move that gives the franchise added WNBA free agency funds in 2026.
Plum was eligible for a one-year supermax deal worth roughly $1.4 million under the new CBA, but chose a smaller deal to create more room for LA to build around its veteran core. The structure additionally gives Plum long-term flexibility, allowing her to re-enter free agency as soon as next year.
The move says as much about the LA's direction as it does Plum's priorities. The Sparks spent the offseason bringing back veterans while also exploring roster upgrades via free agency.
Plum remains central to that push. In her first season with the Sparks, she led the team with 19.5 points and 5.7 assists across 43 starts. She earned another All-Star nod while carrying a heavy offensive load.
Before joining LA in 2025, Plum spent seven seasons with Las Vegas. There she won two WNBA titles and establishing herself as one of the league's most consistent guards.
Her decision to stay gives LA more financial room to keep scouting talent. The Sparks can now support Plum, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink, and a young lineup intent on ending the franchise's playoff drought.
Brink's return adds another layer to the narrative. The former No. 2 overall pick is now fully recovered from the torn ACL that sidelined her for part of last season, subsequently giving the team another key frontcourt piece.
The new CBA increased player leverage. However, it's also made short-term deals like Plum's more appealing for stars balancing earnings with roster control.
Regardless, the 31-year-old gives the Sparks both continuity and flexibility as Los Angeles keeps building toward contention in 2026.
Satou Sabally is heading to New York in 2026 after agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Liberty, delivering one of the biggest headlines in WNBA free agency.
Sabally entered the offseason as one of the top available players, and New York moved quickly to land her. The three-time All-Star joins a Liberty core that already includes Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, with Jones also agreeing to a new multiyear deal this week.
The fit is clear: Sabally gives New York another versatile frontcourt option who can create off the dribble, stretch the floor, and defend multiple positions. And at 6-foot-4, she adds size without sacrificing pace.
She is also coming off one of the strongest seasons of her career in Phoenix. The 27-year-old led the Mercury in scoring with 16.3 points per game while averaging 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals across 39 regular-season appearances.
Sabally leveled up in the WNBA playoffs, averaging 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 10 postseason games to help Phoenix oust both New York and Minnesota. She subsequently helped the franchise reach its first WNBA Finals birth since 2021 before suffering a concussion in the last game of the series.
The move carries another layer. Sabally is additionally reuniting with former Oregon teammate Sabrina Ionescu. The pair helped lead the Ducks to the program's first Final Four in 2019 before becoming the top two picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft.
How Satou Sabally Fits Into New York's 2026 WNBA Season
The Liberty are still operating in must-win mode after taking the 2024 title before falling short of another WNBA Finals run last season. With the signing, Sabally gives New York yet another proven All-Star as the team continues shaping one of the deepest rosters heading into the 2026 WNBA season.