Alexandra Eala has been included in the TIME100 Next 2026 list, which highlights influential rising stars globally. As the only tennis player recognized, she falls under the Innovators category within a selection of leaders categorized as Phenoms, Artists, Leaders, Innovators, and Advocates.
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Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, praised Eala in a feature on time.com, emphasizing her talent, maturity, and poise on the court. He noted her ability to listen and continuously improve, adding that she has maintained her humility despite her rapid rise in the sport. “One day, she asked whether I felt like hitting with her for a while,” Nadal recalled, highlighting their connection since she joined the Rafa Nadal Academy at age 13.
Eala gained significant attention in 2025 when she reached the Miami final as a wild card, defeating three Grand Slam champions. Over the past year and a half, she has climbed from No. 140 to No. 18 in the PIF WTA Rankings, amassing a broad fanbase in the Philippines and globally. Her achievements have inspired interest in women's tennis in a country that had not previously produced a Top 100 player. Earlier this summer, Eala celebrated her first WTA Tour title in Washington, D.C.