“Has To Be A Joke” - Fans Shocked As Ex-British No. 1 Compares Alexandra Eala To Rafael Nadal & Jannik Sinner After US Open Exit

Alexandra Eala earned a fan in former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski, who compared the Filipino star to the likes of Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner. Eala gave a strong fight to 14th-seeded Iva Jovic in the third round before going down in three sets at the US Open.

Former Great Britain No. 1 Rusedski noted that Eala has Nadal's intensity and Sinner's athleticism while claiming that she "probably" has the best return game in the sport.

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"When I watch her, she reminds me a little bit of Rafael Nadal; the intensity she has on the court," Rusedski said on the 'Off Court With Greg Rusedski' podcast. "And you look at her positioning with her body. She's always at the same level with her height when she moves from the back of the court, almost a little bit reminiscent of the intensity of Rafael, but the level on height with the bending of the knees like Jannik Sinner. So, it's a brilliant combination she has. And the mindset is second to none. So yes, she's got this third-round match that's coming up."

However, fans were less convinced by Rusedski's bold statement about Eala, with some even mentioning Novak Djokovic as one of the best in the game.

"This has to be a joke?" one fan wrote.

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Rusedski assessed that Eala is technically sound, sees the ball well and understands the serve pattern of opponents better than most.

"Well, she's technically so sound," Rusedski said. "She obviously has an incredible vision, reads her opponent's serves and patterns exceptionally well, standing in on the court."

Alexandra Eala Fights Back Tears After Incredible Game of Tennis

After battling for over three hours, Alexandra Eala came out on the wrong side of the result against Iva Jovic. It was even more heartbreaking since she was up by two games in the deciding set.

After the match, Eala shared a warm exchange with Iva Jovic at the net. In her post-match reaction, she broke down in tears, not because she lost, but after seeing the support from the Filipino community during the US Open.

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"It's indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words," Eala said. "It's a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime."

"I'm really happy. I'm really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me," Eala added.

Last month, Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C. It was also the first WTA 500 title won by a Southeast Asian player. She defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in a rain-delayed final.

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