Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has been named to TIME’s TIME100 Next list, which recognizes rising stars who are shaping the future across various fields.

Eala’s profile was written by tennis icon and two-time Olympic gold medalist Rafael Nadal, who has closely followed the Filipina’s development since her time at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

_{Alex Eala profile via TIME}

Nadal recalled that Eala was the first player he shared a tennis court with after his retirement.

“At just 19, Alex beat three Grand Slam champion players at the 2025 Miami Open,” Nadal wrote. “This year, she won the WTA 500 tournament, becoming the first player from the Philippines to break into the world’s top 20.”

Nadal also highlighted Eala’s ability to learn and continuously improve, describing it as one of her greatest strengths.

Beyond her achievements on court, Nadal praised Eala’s character amid her rapid rise in professional tennis.

“But perhaps more importantly, Alex remains a wonderful person—warm, approachable, and humble,” Nadal wrote. “It isn’t easy to handle becoming a true phenomenon at such a young age, and she deserves a lot of credit for keeping her feet on the ground.”

Nadal said he first met Eala when she began her journey at the Rafa Nadal Academy and has since followed her career closely.

Eala, 21, has continued to establish herself among the sport’s rising players, becoming the first Filipino tennis player to break into the WTA top 20.