Former world No 4 Greg Rusedski has explained why he does not think Alex Eala will make a key “mistake” as he highlighted the importance of Rafael Nadal as a mentor to the Filipina.

Eala began her campaign at the 2026 Cincinnati Open with a second round victory against Elena-Gabriela Ruse — who retired when trailing 1-6, 0-3.

The 21-year-old arrived in Cincinnati after reaching the fourth round in Toronto and capturing her maiden WTA Tour title in Washington DC.

The world No 20 will face 10th-ranked Amanda Anisimova in the third round at the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati.

Speaking on his Off Court With Greg Rusedski podcast, Rusedski hailed Eala’s attitude and her “no excuses” approach.

“It’s incredible. I mean, yeah, she ran out of gas against [Belinda] Bencic, and Bencic played a great match, but what I’m liking is she’s playing week-in, week-out,” said the former British No 1.

“She has no excuses. She performs, if she wins; she wins, if she loses; she loses. No excuse, I’m giving 110%. The attitude is there.

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“She was up a set easily, 3-0, got a default [against Ruse], now she’s stepping up against Anisimova, and everybody said, ‘Oh, the draw’s gonna be so tough’ — she won Washington in one of the most difficult draws to win that event.

“So, I’m just so impressed with Eala. Can’t wait to see her play Anisimova — that is blockbuster. I’m setting my alarm to see that one. Can’t wait for it to kick off.”

Rusedski, who was a runner-up at the US Open in 1997, also praised the team around Eala as he addressed her busy schedule.

“I look at it like this — she’s got Rafael Nadal as a mentor, she’s been at the Nadal academy. She has been a junior world No 1, and she’s got her coach, who does an excellent job,” said Rusedski.

“So, this is the ideal lead-up, Washington, Toronto; lost in her third match; now she’s playing Cincinnati. There’s a week off next week, so she’s scheduling perfectly.

“If she’s playing the week before the US Open, then there’s a problem. The nice thing with her coach — they can always go to Rafa, like [Iga] Swiatek did with [Francisco] Roig, and get that balance.

“And he (Nadal) understands that, because he’s had that in his younger career where he overplayed a little bit with uncle Toni, then he balanced it out depending with his age when he went to [Carlos] Moya.

“And I think she’s got such a good group of people from her agent, to her coach, to her physio, to having Rafa there, as well.

“She’s not going to make those mistakes, because she can balance these things off. And also she has a love [for tennis].

“She has to find the balance, because if you underplay, your body’s not ready. If you overplay, you hurt yourself. So, it’s getting that balance, and I don’t see that balance being missed out.

“So, I think she’s going to be smart, she’s looking at long-term. I just think she’s a ray of light for the WTA, and I don’t think she’s going to make the mistakes players have in the past.”

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