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Decision time is looming for Carlos Alcaraz and he will need up the risk to reward ratio of playing at the US Open.

Alcaraz has not played a competitive tennis match since he injured his wrist at the Barcelona Open in April, with initial suggestions that his setback was minor swiftly banished as he withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon.

Now Alcaraz is in a race against time to be fit to defend his US Open title later this month, with his decision to withdraw from the upcoming Cincinnati Masters tournament leaving huge question marks over the Spaniard’s fitness levels.

He has posted some positive updates on his social media feed in recent weeks as he has stepped up his recovery with the aim of playing in New York, but the move to pull out of Cincinnati has cast a huge doubt over Alcaraz’s participation at the US Open.

Playing best-of-five-set tennis in his comeback tournament would appear to be a risky plan, with former British No 1 Greg Rusedski suggesting Alcaraz would be wise to be cautious instead of rushing a return.

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“You can count the US Open out now. There is no way he’s gonna play in the US Open if he’s missing Cincinnati,” said Rusedski on the latest edition of his podcast.

“I was questioning where he was at a bit when we saw him hitting with juniors, but it looked pretty good with the movement, the strike, the new hairdo. Everything was looking good. Then we get this news.

“If this was just a little bit of inflammation, a little problem, he would be back by now. It’s something a little bit more serious. We don’t know if he’s had a tear, whether it’s something more, whether he’s had a little bit of surgery in there. Who knows what’s happened?

“And the only people who know are Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of his team. But this is taking a lot longer than we thought.

“I think take as long as you need to, even if he misses the rest of the year and then starts up again in 2027.”

Rusedski’s comments have caused a stir among Alcaraz fans, with some suggesting he was negative about their hero.

Yet the experienced former world No 4 is merely urging the 23-year-old Spaniard to be wary of rushing back in his eagerness to avoid missing a third straight Grand Slam tournament.

Alcaraz could have 15 years ahead of him playing in major tournaments, but he could put that longevity at risk by coming back too soon and damaging the wrist problem that is the first significant injury of his career.

Argentine tennis giant Juan Martin del Potro is a player who tried and failed to overcome an ongoing wrist problem, and Alcaraz needs to avoid coming back ahead of time and suffering a setback that could have a more profound impact on his long-term career.

With that in mind, Alcaraz should consider delaying his comeback until he has time to test his wrist in a competitive environment.

Playing best-of-three-set tennis should be a starting point for Alcaraz for what is clearly a serious wrist injury and that means the sensible move would be pulling out of the US Open and playing the long game in a bid to protect his career.

READ NEXT: Will Carlos Alcaraz play the US Open? ‘If there’s somebody that could do it, it’s him’

The post Carlos Alcaraz can only make one decision as he weighs up US Open options appeared first on Tennis365.

Rafael Jodar’s brilliant 2026 season is continuing at the Canadian Open, where he has breezed through to the quarter finals of the Masters event.

The talented Spaniard has beaten Corentin Moutet, Lorenzo Musetti, and Jiri Lehecka in Montreal, dropping just one set in the process.

He is set to play Arthur Fils in the last eight of the tournament, which will be their third meeting already in 2026, with the pair sharing a win in their previous two matches.

With Jodar’s victory against Lehecka in the quarter finals of the Canadian Open, he has joined Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal by achieving a historic feat.

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Jodar has become just the third teenager, after Alcaraz and Nadal, to reach three consecutive ATP Masters 1000 QFs since the format’s introduction in 1990, according to OptaAce.

The Spaniard has now reached the last eight of the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the Canadian Open, proving he can perform just as well on hard courts as he does on the clay.

That is not the only achievement Jodar managed by defeating Lehecka, either.

Jodar has claimed the outright-most wins of any teenager within his first 50 career matches at ATP level in the Open Era, having earned his 35th victory in his debut season at the Montreal event.

The Spaniard had been level with the likes of Andrei Medvedev, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe, but now he holds the outright record for his stunning start to ATP life.

Most ATP Tour wins after first 50 matches

• Rafael Jodar – 35
• John McEnroe – 34
• Andy Roddick – 34
• Andrei Medvedev – 34
• Guillermo Perez Roldan – 34

Jodar claimed his maiden ATP title in Marrakech during the clay court swing and he has followed it up by reaching the final of the Washington Open and the semi finals of the Barcelona Open.

At Masters level, Jodar has been incredibly consistent. He’s reached the round of 32 or later in every single Masters event, and the quarter finals of his last three.

At Grand Slam level, Jodar came through qualifying at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year to reach the round of 64, before losing to Jakub Mensik.

He reached the quarter finals of Roland Garros on the clay, before eventually lose to the would-be champion Alexander Zverev.

At Wimbledon, he fared less well, but he still reached the third round of the grass court Grand Slam. The Spaniard defeated Felix Gill and Pablo Carreno Busta, before losing to Shintaro Mochizuki.

Jodar is more than proving he can hang with the ATP Tour elite and he has every chance to go on to win his maiden Masters event at the Canadian Open.

The post Rafael Jodar matches record set by Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz at the Canadian Open appeared first on Tennis365.

Legendary coach Rick Macci has assessed that one area of Alex Eala’s game “needs reconstructive surgery” as he also made a ranking prediction.

Eala extended her winning streak to seven matches with a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over world No 70 Caty McNally in the third round of the Canadian Open on Friday.

The Filipina star defeated 71st-ranked Alycia Parks in her opening match at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto.

Eala arrived in Canada after she won five matches to capture her first-ever career title at the WTA 500 in Washington DC.

The 21-year-old climbed to a career-high ranking of world No 20 following her title run in Washington, and she is up to 14th in the Live WTA Rankings after her two victories in Toronto.

Macci, a former coach of Serena and Venus Williams, analysed Eala’s game and backed the rising star to become a top five player.

“Her movement is the X factor on the road to the mountain top,” Macci wrote in a post on his X/Twitter account.

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“The PHILIPPINE MACHINE controls and dictate a lot but when not her agility and mobility can be bought.

“No player checks every box but Alex has enough firepower to hug the baseline and take away time and hit laser angles on a dime. Top 5 is around the bend as her new best friend.”

In another tweet, Macci doubled down on his praise for Eala’s baseline firepower while arguing the left-hander should make a technical change to her serve.

“The Philippine Machine is earning a lot of green and her on the rise firepower is some of the best we have seen,” wrote the American.

“Her movement can be exploited and make her pay but because of her elite ball striking she still has the final say.

“Her serve needs reconstructive surgery to become a laser and if this happens she add another taser.”

Macci recently claimed that Eala could be a future world No 1.

“She is not afraid to pull the trigger and go bigger under the gun and that is another reason she could someday be number one,” he assessed.

READ NEXT: Jimmy Connors gives his honest opinion on Alex Eala’s game and massive fan support

The post Alex Eala told one area of her game ‘needs reconstructive surgery’ as she gets ranking prediction appeared first on Tennis365.

Alex Eala admits she “doesn’t know what happened” when she injured her ankle during her third-round match against Caty McNally at the Canadian Open.

The world No 20 was one set and a break up midway during the second set when she called for the physio to receive treatment on her right ankle and McNally broke her to love in the next game to get back on serve.

After both held serve, they traded another couple of breaks before the American again broke to love in game 12 and this time it was crucial as it gave her the set.

There were fears that the ankle injury was hampering Eala, but she broke in the opening game of the decider before serving out the match for a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory and a place in the fourth round.

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During her post-match press conference, the 21-year-old was asked if it was a concern, but replied: “I kind of rolled my ankle in that second set. Like, I hit the forehand and I landed kind of wrong. I called the physio.

“I think I was a little, I was like, Oh, I don’t know what happened, because it happened so fast. But luckily, there’s nothing wrong with it, and it was no serious problems.

“But, I mean, yeah, today was physically, it pushed me a lot. I have a lot of matches in the bag. But that goes for good and bad. I think this is also a learning process. We’re athletes. So that kind of physical is, you know, it’s like a huge part of our job.

“I think I have a great team who is going to help me recover, and I have high hopes for the rest of the tournament.”

Eala, of course, is high on confidence as she is fresh off winning her maiden title after beating Jessica Pegula in the rain-delayed Washington DC Open final on Monday.

The Filipina has played seven matches in the space of two weeks – five in Washington and two so far Montreal – and she is starting to “feel the effects”, especially with everyone wanting a piece of tennis’ rising star.

“I think this match was really challenging for me. I think the whole two weeks, I guess, have been very challenging. Each match that I’ve played has presented its unique set of challenges,” Eala said.

“Today, obviously it was really close. I think, you know, like, I’m really, of course I’m feeling the effects of just everything.

“I think I’m really doing my best, like I said on court, to stay professional and stick to what I know. But everything, of course, like, these past two weeks I’ve been feeling emotions so extremely because of the circumstances, which is a great thing.

“I think I’m quite a sentimental person. But at the same time it’s just kind of like finding that balance. So, I think I’m really proud of how I handled today, and what I did on court.”

There is good news for Eala as she will have Saturday off as her next match, the round of 16 encounter against 12th seed Belinda Bencic, is scheduled for Sunday.

The post Alex Eala gives fitness update after rolling ankle as she reveals ‘high hopes’ appeared first on Tennis365.

Alex Eala is still at the formative stages of her career, but she is already closing in on a big prize money breakthrough.

The Filipina hero has created a huge stir in tennis since he breakthrough week at the Miami Open last year, with her story going to a whole new level over the last few weeks.

Eala was rising up the tennis rankings as she won the Birmingham Open on a grass court in June and she then enjoyed her best run at a Grand Slam as she reached the last-16 at Wimbledon, beating defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.

She backed that up by lifting her first WTA Tour title in Washington, beating an impressive list of opponents to take that crown.

Eala beat Olympic champion Wang Xinyu, defending Washington champion Leylah Fernandez, the dangerous Elina Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka before she overcame Jessica Pegula in the final.

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The Washington title success earned her prize money of $252,000, which took her career total up to $2,901,015.

Eala will break through the $3m barrier soon and she will have a chance to move up the all-time prize money list rapidly if she continues her current form.

Her bank balance is certain to be boosted by huge sponsorship deals that will now come her way on the back of her ongoing success, with the offers certain to flow her way as she emerges as one of the biggest names on the WTA Tour.

Eala’s form and presence in the sport is being saluted by the great and good of the game, with former US Open champion Andy Roddick among her biggest admirers.

“She’s not scared to play the top players. There’s no doubt,” Roddick said on his Served podcast.

“And I mean, she’s sneaky — we’re talking four spots away from being seeded in the top 16. That’s the next goal for her.

“Can we put up a couple of results in Canada and Cincinnati and sneak inside that top 16 where a fourth round is expected and not a surprise to anyone. Massive, massive props to her, she’s so much fun.

“Everyone in tennis should be cheering for her, right? And you [could] say, like, ‘don’t pick favourites, don’t cheer for her’, sure… I’m cheering for markets,” said the American.

“If we could bring hundreds of millions of people because she’s playing, well, then I’m going to cheer for that because it’s better for tennis.

“I know some people might bristle and be like, ‘listen, she hasn’t won a Slam. What are we doing?’ No, but she’s literally carrying hundreds of millions of fans to our sport and saying, you’re die-hards now. This is great for the sport.

“It doesn’t mean you like her more than… I love Jessica Pegula. All I’m saying is that I want to see Eala consistently do well because of what an impact she will have on the game if she does that.

“Not all impacts are the same with players. Eala winning a Slam is more than someone else winning a Slam. That’s just the way it works. We’re lucky in tennis to have her. We should continue to support the story.

“And listen, none of this s*** happens and no one cares if she’s not winning stuff. So, this is great.”

READ NEWS: Alex Eala’s ranking, prize money, sponsors and her next tournament

The post Alex Eala on the brink of an epic prize money breakthrough and it’s certain to happen appeared first on Tennis365.

Alex Eala has emerged as the new star of the women’s game after a rapid rise up the WTA Rankings since her breakthrough run to the semi-finals of the 2025 Miami Open.

The Filipina hero has recorded a host of wins against top-10 opponents and has quickly built up a huge fan base as tickets to watch her play are snapped up in double quick time.

Her rise has been compared to that of Emma Raducanu after she won the 2021 US Open, but it seems Eala will be able to achieve more sustained success than that British star who has struggled with injuries and illness in the years since her one and only Grand Slam win in New York.

Eala has stepped out of Raducanu’s shadow as the new superstar of the WTA Tour and the offers of big money sponsorship deals are certain to come her way as major companies will want to join her on her rise to the top.

Here is your Tennis365 guide to the Eala story so far and what is still to come:

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WHEN IS EALA’S NEXT TOURNAMENT?

Eala will play at the Cincinnati Open and will then move on to the US Open, where she will be looking to get past the second round for the first time in her career.

After that, she will be a star attraction as the WTA Tour moves to Asia for tournaments played in front of fans who will be excited to see Eala in action.

WHAT ABOUT EALA’S RANKING?

Eala’s first WTA Tour title win in Washington fired her into the top 20 of the WTA Rankings for the first time in her career and she has a chance to make more big gains as she has limited points to defend in the coming months.

She will need to go on extended runs at the US Open and in the final tournaments of 2026 to have a chance to break into the top 10 of the rankings before the end of the year.

HOW MUCH PRIZE MONEY HAS EALA WON?

Eala has won $2,901,015 so far in her young career and she looks certain to break through the $3million barrier very soon.

That total may sound impressive, but she is only just inside the top 300 of all-time career prize money winners in women’s tennis, but she is certain to rise up that list quickly if she continues her current form.

EALA’S SPONSORS

She already has sponsorship deals with Nike, Globe Telecom, Babolat, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Milo Philippines and Locally Juice, with the premium brands now certain to be fighting to add her to their list of ambassadors.

EALA’S BEST WINS

Eala secured a breakthrough win when she beat Iga Swiatek on a run to the semi-finals of the 2025 Miami Open and she achieved more success later that year when she reached her first WTA Tour final on grass at Eastbourne. She had match point in that final against Maya Joint, but ended up losing the match.

She secured wins against top ten opponents Jasmine Paolini, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina (twice) and Swiatek at Wimbledon before she beat Pegula to win her maiden tour title in Washington.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT EALA

Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski: “There’s only one other person that I can compare to her sort of star status. It’s Serena Williams,” declared Rusedski on his podcast.

“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.

“Now we are seeing this happening with Eala. The Filipino population follows her. She is the biggest sports star in the country by far of any male or female superstar that they have.”

Gigi Salmon, Sky Sports presenter, spoke to Tennis365: “I remember Miami last year. I spoke to her a few times on that run through to the semi-final and the clouds were phenomenal. 
And this year in the Middle East, it’s been sensational.

“In Dubai, it was like a pop concert. It was like a Taylor Swift concert. People were screaming and maybe that can become a burden at some point, but I like the fact that at the moment, she just seems to be flourishing. She thanked them all and she’s a superstar. I just think she’s got everything.”

READ NEXT: Alex Eala fans described as ‘insane’ by defeated rival after big revelation

The post Alex Eala’s ranking, prize money, sponsors and her next tournament appeared first on Tennis365.

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka posted a social media image of the dress she will wear at the US Open later this month and it drew criticism from some quarters.

The lacy black and red outfit is inspired by America’s passion for basketball, with the lacy overlay inspired by the net used in one of the most popular sports in the US.

Some social media users suggested the outfit was not what they expected to see on a tennis court, but the Belarusian star has hit back at those claims and insisted she has enjoyed the kit she has been given by her sponsors in 2026.

“I really like this year’s Nike outfit because it’s inspired by different sports,” Sabalenka told reporters in Toronto.

“The Australian Open one was linked to surfing, the Roland-Garros one to dance, and Wimbledon to cricket. And finally, for the US Open, basketball is in the spotlight.

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“So I feel like a basketball, it’s really fun. For a long time, they stuck to pretty classic things.

“I encouraged them to create something more fun, different, maybe with a new shape or idea for the dress.

“I’m very excited to continue collaborating with them to create new, fun, and original designs. I love my outfit. If some people don’t like it, that’s okay.

“You can’t please everyone with your clothes. That’s exactly what I love about fashion: there’s room for everyone, for all desires and inspirations.”

Sabalenka has faced some criticism for some of her social media posts, with the revealing nature of some of her posts ensuring they get a big reaction with her Instagram and TikTok audience.

The reigning US Open champion clearly enjoys having fun on social media and it has raised her profile and that of the women’s game in recent years.

Now she is taking her ‘behind the scenes’ access for her fans to the next level, with the release of the latest episode of her ‘Aryna’s Arena’ series on YouTube.

The latest episode focuses on her recent holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos with her partner Georgios Frangulis.

Images of the couple enjoying the sun-kissed beaches and having a break from tennis are certain to be well received by Sabalenka’s army of supporters around the world.

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“I’m having so much fun filming these and wanted to give you guys a look into my life on and off the court … the good, the bad, all of it,” Sabalenka said.

In this episode, she suggests getting away from the sport she has mastered is crucial to allowing her to unwind.

“I feel like I am at peace when I am in the water and swimming,” she said. “Right now you realise life is so much bigger than a tennis tournament. Having fun with your closest people is truly the best.”

Sabalenka may have her critics, but she is determined to live her best life and is happy to let the world see into it.

READ NEXT: Aryna Sabalenka backs controversial WTA transgender policy – ‘Let’s keep it that way’

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Richard Krajicek was effusive in his praise for Rafael Jodar as he spoke exclusively to Tennis365 about a group of young stars on the ATP Tour.

Having played college tennis at the University of Virginia in 2024, Jodar made the decision to turn pro last year, and his rise has been remarkable.

In April, Jodar won his maiden ATP Tour title in Marrakech at what was his first-ever tour-level event on clay.

The 19-year-old Spaniard was then a semi-finalist at the Barcelona Open before reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid, Rome and at Roland Garros.

After losing to Taylor Fritz in the Washington Open final on Monday, Jodar soared to a new career-high ranking of world No 15.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been the two dominant players in men’s tennis since the start of 2024, with the duo each having claimed five of the last 11 Grand Slam titles.

Asked by Tennis365 which rising players are most likely to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner in the future, Krajicek first mentioned Joao Fonseca.

“I don’t know, challenge… that’s maybe a couple years away still, but I like [Joao] Fonseca,” said the Dutchman.

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The 1996 Wimbledon champion then went on to laud Jodar as he revealed he watched the Spaniard’s five-set French Open win against Alex Michelsen from courtside.

“I really like Jodar a lot — people notice him, but maybe not enough yet,” Krajicek declared.

“I saw him at the French Open playing [Alex] Michelsen. I was sitting really close, and I saw the way he plays, the mentality, the relationship with the Dad, the energy, also with the crowd.

“I’m so impressed with this guy. For me, unbelievable. Maybe I would feel the same if I saw Fonseca play like that up close.

“But I’m very impressed. Jodar is really up there. He’s for sure one of the guys, together with Fonseca, and [Jakub] Mensik, of course. And also Learner Tien.

“And Ben Shelton – he’s a bit older. He has a big serve, leftie, a little bit different game, so if you’re a little bit different as a player, that also helps.”

READ NEXT: ATP Cincinnati Open Entry List 2026, Prize Money, Points: Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev star; Alcaraz absent

The post Richard Krajicek names rising ATP star who could challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner appeared first on Tennis365.

Alex Eala’s impact is reverberating around the tennis world and now she has been compared to the ultimate GOAT of the women’s game.

Eala’s stunning breakthrough on the WTA Tour at the 2025 Miami Open alerted the tennis world to her potential and she has taken that to a whole next level over the last few weeks.

After enjoying her best run at a Grand Slam as she reached the last-16 at Wimbledon and beat defending champion Iga Siwatek at the All England Club, this engaging 21-year-old then achieved another big milestone as she claimed her first WTA Tour title at the Washington Open earlier this week.

Eala’s impressive display in Washington saw her beat Olympic champion Wang Xinyu, defending Washington champion Leylah Fernandez, the dangerous Elina Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka before she beat Jessica Pegula in the final.

Now former British No 1 Greg Rusedski has joined the chorus of acclaim for Eala, as he handed her the ultimate praise by comparing her popularity and fame to 23-time Grand Slam winning legend Serena Williams.

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“There’s only one other person that I can compare to her sort of star status. It’s Serena Williams,” declared Rusedski on his podcast.

“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.

“Now we are seeing this happening with Eala. The Filipino population follows her. She is the biggest sports star in the country by far of any male or female superstar that they have.

“It’s great to see the passion of those fans because every time she plays, they’re there supporting. They’re ready to go. We already talked about the sellout for opening match in Toronto. It just shows you that star power.

“People are putting their hard-earned money to come watch her because they love her, they like her personality, they like her game.

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. This is such a blessing for the WTA.

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“I can’t wait to see how the role continues in Toronto and Cincinnati getting ready for the US Open. But she has put herself in the mix. You win a hardcore tournament going into the US Open. That breeds a lot of confidence.”

The hype around Eala may add a weight of expectation on her young shoulders, but Rusedski makes no excuse for praising a young player who has taken the tennis world by storm.

“She’s a joy to watch. She’s a lovely person. She speaks exceptionally well,” he added. “And as I said before, she has it. I’m happy to talk about her every single week. She’s a joy for our sport, and we’re lucky to have her.”

READ NEXT: Alex Eala rankings prediction: Why the hero of the Philippines may have to wait for dream breakthrough

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Tennis great Jimmy Connors has revealed he is an admirer of Alex Eala’s game as he also gave his verdict on the Filipina star’s huge fanbase.

Eala secured her maiden career title at the WTA 500 tournament in Washington DC — a victory that saw her crack the top 20 of the rankings for the first time.

The 21-year-old followed up that triumph by defeating Alycia Parks in her opening match at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto on Wednesday. She will face Caty McNally in the third round in Canada.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, Connors candidly discussed Eala’s breakthrough.

“Let’s talk about her fanbase and the success she’s had, and what she brings to the women’s game is pretty amazing,” said the eight-time major champion.

“The breakthrough to win a 500. What’s next on her list? A 1000 [event], because she’s got that opportunity leading up to a Grand Slam.

“We talk about confidence all the time, and with that confidence and with the following like that, that shows up to her matches and get behind her, I know what a crowd can do for you and how it can push you to levels of play that you never thought that you could reach yourself, because that little extra push sometimes wins matches for you.

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“It’s pretty amazing. And I like the way that she plays. She’s left-handed, she takes the ball early, she’s not afraid to be aggressive on the returns and in the way she plays.

“Very refreshing to see that from her… and [she is] knocking on the door. Keep knocking on the door, keep knocking on those tournaments and good things will happen. It’s already started for her.”

The former world No 1 went on to reveal why he likes the vociferous support Eala receives.

“How good is that (the crowd support)? It pushes her,” the American continued.

“It gets in her mind that, ‘I’m doing this for myself, and I’m bringing people down on the court with me to get behind me, to be a part of what I do.’

“And that’s intimidating… I like that, I like it when the crowd’s getting involved and being a part of it and getting behind their players and pushing them and not being afraid to show it.

“That’s what made tennis exciting, in my opinion. Like it or not, like her or not, you’re there. You want to see her win or you don’t, but you’re there.

“And all that does is create interest in the women’s game, and in particular her, which is great.”

READ NEXT: WTA Cincinnati Open Entry List 2026: Where will Alex Eala be seeded? Aryna Sabalenka headlines

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