Alex Eala’s growing profile is drawing rare attention in the buildup to the US Open, with her social media reach giving the wider tennis world a noticeable lift.

Heading into the final Grand Slam of 2026, Eala arrives with momentum and visibility after winning her first WTA Tour title in Washington last month, a result that reinforced her standing among the sport’s leading young players.

Talk has already begun about a possible fourth-round meeting with Coco Gauff, and although the Filipina has not yet moved beyond the last 16 at a major, the evidence around her popularity suggests she is already one of the biggest attractions in the women’s game.

Her exhibition match with Iva Jovic, posted on the official US Open account, has produced YouTube numbers that have far outstripped those of every other player by several times. Her appearance on the Andy Roddick Served podcast also surpassed one million views.

During that conversation, Roddick praised her influence and thanked Eala for ‘creating a movement’ that has lifted tennis across multiple levels.

The interest has not stopped there. Her press conference clips on different platforms have also generated more traction than those of any other player, while Greg Rusedski’s podcast has benefited from a sharp rise in subscribers and YouTube views over the past month.

Eala now carries the expectations that come with that level of attention, beginning with her opening match against American qualifier Mary Stoiana on Tuesday.

Speaking on his Off Court With Greg Rusedski podcast, the former world No 4 looked ahead to her campaign and said, “Well, I think she’ll sell out [crowds] like she did in Toronto,” said the former world No 4.

He added, “I mean, how impressive was her result in Washington, the way she played? She was incredible.

“And then to bounce back and win two matches again; she won seven in a row and then lost in Toronto, she loses [in Cincinnati] to Anisimova in three sets — who last year made two major finals.

“So, she’s on the cusp. She’s the first Filipina to make the fourth round of a major, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s in the quarters or semis. She’s that good. I think the mentality is second to none.

“I look between the ears, having coached and worked on tour in the men’s and the women’s, the most important [thing], cause 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. I mean, she must be a dream to work with, so as a coach and as somebody who watches, she is special, and I think she could have a deep run, and I would be surprised if she doesn’t get into the quarters. She’s that good.

“I think she loves the big stage, there’s certain players who love walking on Arthur Ashe Stadium, who like to play on the big stadiums, who want to be on the big stadiums.

“That’s what I feel with Eala — that she wants to be there, and she will get her success because of all the work she does.”

Eala is scheduled to begin her US Open run against Stoiana in the second match on Louis Armstrong Stadium court on Tuesday.

The 2026 US Open has started its main draw, and one more former finalist has now joined the list of players stepping away from the season’s final major.

The 146th US Open opened on Sunday 30 August and will finish with the men’s singles final on Sunday 13 August. As the last stop of the North American summer hard-court season, the tournament is being staged at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York City.

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return as the defending singles champions, with both players having claimed their second US Open titles last year.

Jannik Sinner, the 2024 champion and 2025 runner-up, withdrew before this year’s event because of a right knee injury. The ATP world No 1 has not played since winning his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month.

Casper Ruud is the latest name to leave the draw. The former world No 2 and three-time Grand Slam finalist became the 12th man and 21st player overall to withdraw from the US Open. The 27-year-old Norwegian pulled out soon after play began on Sunday after a back injury forced him to retire in his opening match at the Cincinnati Masters.

Ruud, who finished runner-up to Alcaraz at the 2022 US Open, confirmed the news on Instagram.

“Unfortunately, my back hasn’t healed as quickly as we had hoped,” Ruud wrote.

“We’ve been optimistic that I would recover in time, but my team and I have decided that we need to think long term and give my body the time it needs.

“I’m very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this year’s US Open singles event. It’s never easy to miss a Grand Slam, but I know this is the right decision.”

“I’ll take the time I need to recover properly and come back stronger. Thank you for all the support.”

Ruud, ranked world No 20, is the second highest ranked man to withdraw after Sinner.

The women’s withdrawal list also includes Victoria Mboko, Hailey Baptiste, Jaqueline Cristian, Emma Raducanu, Irina-Camelia Begu, Jil Teichmann, Ajla Tomljanovic, Laura Siegemund and Varvara Gracheva.

Jannik Sinner’s surprise withdrawal from the 2026 US Open has been linked to a knee problem that has kept him off court since Wimbledon.

The world No 1 has not competed since beating Alexander Zverev in four sets to win the Wimbledon final last month. After later missing the Canadian Open, Sinner said a right knee issue had been “bothering” him when he announced he would also skip the Cincinnati Open.

Last week, he confirmed that the same problem would rule him out of New York, saying he needed additional time before returning.

“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” the 25-year-old wrote.

“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.

“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.”

A report from Sky Sport Italy has now given a clearer picture of the problem, describing it as “extra-articular tendon inflammation” in Sinner’s right knee. The report added that it is “the least serious type” of knee tendon inflammation and said it is mainly treated through rest and physical therapy.

The same report noted that attempting to play the US Open would not have been the right call. “Trying to play wouldn’t have been impossible, but it was certainly not advisable considering the rest of the season and especially the future,” it stated.

Sky Sport Italy also said a return for Beijing and Shanghai is “the primary option on the table” for the five-time major winner.

Sinner is the reigning China Open champion, and the 2026 Beijing ATP 500 begins on 30 September, giving him more time to recover. He has continued treatment at JMedical in Turin this week.