Rafa Nadal’s experience helps Alex Eala stay clear of the ‘mistakes’ other tennis stars have made.
Alex Eala is ready to face Amanda Anisimova in the round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open, after she got a walkover win in her first match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
The 21-year-old has been having an amazing summer, winning her first WTA title in Washington DC and making it to the fourth round at the Canadian Open.
As Alex’s career keeps growing, former world No. 4 Greg Rusedski thinks she won’t make the same mistakes some players have made before. A big reason for this is her mentor, Rafael Nadal, who has been guiding her closely.
Alex trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where Nadal himself supports her development. On his podcast, Off Court With Greg Rusedski, Greg talked about her busy schedule and how Nadal will help keep her on track.
He said: “She has Rafael Nadal as a mentor and a great coach. She’s been a junior world No. 1, and her team does an excellent job. Her schedule is perfect—Washington, Toronto, then Cincinnati, with a week off next. That’s smart planning.
“If she was playing right before the US Open, that would be a problem. But with Nadal involved, like Iga Swiatek with Francisco Roig, she knows how to balance training and rest. Nadal went through this himself when he was younger, so he understands it well.
“Alex has a great team—agent, coach, physio, and Rafa. She won’t make the usual mistakes because they will keep everything balanced. Plus, she truly loves tennis.
“She needs to find that balance because playing too little or too much can both cause issues. I don’t see her missing that balance.
“I think she’s being smart and thinking long-term. She’s definitely a bright star for the WTA, and I’m sure she’ll avoid the mistakes others have made.”
Greg Rusedski is a big fan of Alex, impressed by her attitude and work ethic. He’s excited to watch her match against Anisimova, expecting it to be a thrilling game.