Alex Eala tipped to achieve feat no Filipina has ever managed by US Open legend

Alex Eala is bidding to win her first Grand Slam at the US Open as an incredible 2026 draws to a close - and Greg Rusedski believes that she can go all the way to the top.

Eala made history last month after becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA singles title, claiming victory over Jessica Pegula in the final of the Washington Open.

The 21-year-old received unparalleled levels of support during that event, and that continued in the following two tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, crashing out in the round of 16 and 32 respectively.

Her US Open mixed doubles partnership with Canadian talent Felix Auger-Aliassime was also short-lived, tasting a two-sets-to-one defeat against Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.

The youngster is now focused on making history at the US Open by becoming the first Filipina to win a Grand Slam, while reinforcing why she is one of, if not the hottest property in women's tennis.

Eala's career has gone from strength to strength since breaking into the world's top 50 at the end of 2025 and is now ranked at a career-high No. 18 in the WTA rankings.

The Filipina athlete's skyrocketing popularity has also led to legend John McEnroe sending a message to the USTA that they should show her on the bigger courts at the US Open due to the crowds she will attract.

READ NEXT: Alex Eala lands five-figure US Open payday despite first-round defeat

Greg Rusedski thinks Alex Eala can become world No. 1

Greg Rusedski, meanwhile, believes she has the potential to become the first Filipina to reach number one in the world if she can improve her serve, which is a viewpoint shared by Rick Macci, who has worked with Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati.

"And I saw Rick Macci who worked with Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, she said, if you can get that serve technically good enough, she's going to be number one because she's going to be able to get those first three strikes," the 1997 US Open finalist said on Off Court with Greg.

Rusedski has also praised Eala's incredible mentality as a reason why she can go to the very top, having continued to prove that her level transfers against the very best.

“I think the mentality is second to none," he continued. "I look between the ears, you know, having coached and worked on tour in the men's and the women's, the most important thing, because everybody can play, but it's a swagger, it's the belief. It's in between the ears; it's the intensity. She goes tick, tick, tick, tick, tick in all boxes.”

Eala has impressively won seven of her last 10 meetings against top 10 opponents, including four victories over top five players, with Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Pegula among those already defeated.

She will have to continue this incredible record to stand any chance of winning the US Open, and she is quite clearly capable of competing against the very best while handling the pressure of a big occasion.