"I can only compare her to Serena Williams": Greg Rusedski explains Alexandra Eala’s extraordinary impact on tennis
WTAFriday, 07 August 2026 at 23:00
Greg Rusedski believes Alexandra Eala has become one of the most unique stories on the WTA Tour, with the former world No. 4 comparing the attention surrounding the Filipina star with the impact generated by Serena Williams during her career. The comparison comes as Eala continues one of the fastest rises in recent memory, combining impressive results on court with an extraordinary connection with fans.
The 21-year-old has transformed herself from one of the most promising young players on tour into a global attraction in just over a year. Her breakthrough started at the 2025 Miami Open, where she reached the semifinals and defeated several established names, before continuing in 2026 with a WTA 125 title in Birmingham, a semifinal appearance in Berlin and her first WTA 500 trophy at the DC Open.
Her recent success has also changed the way tournaments handle her appearances. During the Canadian Open in Toronto, organizers moved her second-round match against Alycia Parks to a larger stadium after demand exceeded the capacity of Grandstand Court. After winning on Centre Court, Eala will once again headline the main stadium against Caty McNally in the night session as she continues her run in Canada.
The attention around Eala has been driven largely by the passionate Filipino fanbase that follows her around the world. From Miami to Grand Slam tournaments and now the North American hard-court swing, supporters have turned her matches into major events, forcing tournaments to prioritize bigger venues for her appearances. Currently inside the world’s top 20 with a 36-18 record in 2026, Eala has become one of the biggest attractions in tennis.
Rusedski compares Eala’s impact with Serena Williams
Rusedski explained that the comparison with Serena Williams is not related to achievements, but rather to the rare ability to create excitement and attract supporters wherever a player competes.
The former British player believes Eala already possesses a level of popularity that few players reach, especially at such an early stage of their careers. “There’s only one other person that I can compare to her sort of star status," he said at his podcast 'Off Court with Greg'. "It’s Serena Williams.”
The former world No. 4 highlighted how Eala’s popularity extends beyond her home country, with Filipino supporters following her across continents and creating an atmosphere usually reserved for the biggest stars in sport.
For Rusedski, that connection between player and fans is something that cannot be manufactured and separates Eala from other young talents. “Wherever Serena played, everybody was cheering and going for her and no matter where she plays, whether it’s in America, whether it’s in Europe, the Filipino population follows her.”
Eala’s appeal has continued growing alongside her results. Her historic run at the 2025 US Open, where she became the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam main-draw match, introduced her to a wider audience, while her Australian Open campaign also attracted significant attention despite her ranking still being outside the top 40.
Rusedski believes her personality and style of play have helped accelerate that growth. “They like her personality. They like her game and she’s just got it. You know, some people just have that thing. They show up and they have that superstar status right away. And she has that.”
Can Eala turn her momentum into a deep US Open run?
The next challenge for Eala will be proving that her breakthrough can translate into consistent success against the best players in the world. She has already defeated multiple top-level opponents and reached the top 20, but the upcoming hard-court tournaments will provide another opportunity to test whether she can become a regular contender at the biggest events.
Her timing could not be better. Winning the DC Open before the US Open has given Eala confidence and valuable experience on her preferred surface, while also strengthening the belief that she can compete deep into major tournaments.
Rusedski sees that momentum as a key factor heading into New York. “You win a hardcourt tournament going into the US Open. That breeds a lot of confidence.”
For now, Eala’s rise represents one of the most compelling stories in women’s tennis. Whether she can continue climbing toward the top of the sport remains to be seen, but her ability to attract fans, generate excitement and deliver major results has already made her one of the WTA’s most important emerging figures.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Wow!! Haven't seen a Volley-A-Thon like that in a long time. This Bejlik girl has some great stuff. Iga got a hell of a workout.
mandoist04-08-2026 - Yes, "so cruel". It's so bad she's been forced to "train" at an exclusive resort in St. Moritz, Switzerland.mandoist04-08-2026
- Writer states: "These different brands have slight differences that the players need to get used to" That is the dumbest F-ing thing I've heard in quite some time. A sports fan (I assume a fan) telling the World's Top Players they are, essentially, full of shit.mandoist02-08-2026
- No Final today. 200% Humidity.mandoist02-08-2026
- Pro Sports is still pretending the Climate is not going to be a physical health factor -- getting hotter and more debilitating for animals and Humans. Well, it's not whether the climate is "going to" get hotter... IT IS ALREADY HERE!! Sport governing bodies and venues are -- and have been -- disregarding the warnings regarding the Future temperatures when it comes to outdoor events and potential injury (or even death) of fans & athletes alike. Are these financially greedy entities intentionally pretending Climate Change is not happening? Or merely gambling with their own futures, as well as the athletes' health and futures as well? It is time to pay attention to the warming trend and be empathetic toward their money-makers (athletes) -- not PATHETIC.mandoist29-07-2026
- CORRECTION Required: Jannik is WORLD NO. 1 and not 2. "The same can be said for Sinner and Djokovic. The """"World No.2""""" cited health reasons for not going, preserving his body for the Cincinnati Open ahead of the important US Open. If he was set to participate in both, it would be a lot of tennis with him likely to win both tournaments ahead of the trip to Flushing Meadows."J29-07-2026
- That does not sound very healthy
AceOfBase29-07-2026 - Interesting to see and watch the son of a great tennis player. Will he get better than his dad, or not :-)AceOfBase29-07-2026
- What clear-thinking player at the top of the field needs to Double-up with Ranking No. 469??mandoist27-07-2026
- It's refreshing to see a young and evolving player with enough intelligence to not fall for this 'Williams Charade'. Too bad the WTA -- and all the phony insiders -- cannot be Honest about No. 469 and put a stop to it. WTA has Qualifiers for a reason!!mandoist27-07-2026
Loading