Alex Eala has landed on the TIME100 Next 2026: The World's Most Influential Rising Stars list, which "features leaders who are shaping the future" according to the magazine.
The Filipino tennis star was included under the Innovators category of TIME's annual list.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal penned the profile for Alex, reflecting on her growth as an athlete.
Rafael revealed that Alex was the first player he shared a tennis court with following his retirement from professional tennis.
He also relayed that he has witnessed Alex's development since she began training at the Rafa Nadal Academy and has continued to follow her career over the years.
Rafael highlighted Alex's willingness to continuously improve as among her biggest strengths. He also praised the Filipino tennis star for remaining grounded despite the milestones and success she has achieved in her young career.
In August, Alex won the first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title of her career after defeating world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States in the final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open.
The victory also made her the first Filipino tennis player to win a WTA Tour title.
Following the historic win, the 21-year-old athlete reflected on the outpouring of support she received from her family, friends, and fans throughout the tournament.
"Before the final yesterday, I got so many messages, sweet messages from my family and my friends who are on tour, wherever else in the world. I thought to myself, I feel so much love," Alexa said in her post-match interview in August.
READ: Filipino personalities celebrate Alex Eala's historic Mubadala DC Open victory
"So standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at a title, knowing that it won't be my last, and already having achieved this feat and this milestone for my career, I knew that whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me," she added.
Alex also thanked the Filipino community who supported her in Washington, D.C., as well as those cheering for her from the Philippines and other parts of the world.
"Thank you to all my supporters especially the Filipino community here in DC and back home, and wherever you are in the world... I feel all the love. Maraming, maraming salamat mga kababayan," she remarked.