Alexandra Eala played a special role in Rafael Nadal’s life after retirement: “The first player I shared a court with”
WTA
Rafael Nadal has described Alexandra Eala as a “true phenomenon” after the Filipino star was named the only tennis player on the prestigious TIME100 Next 2026 list. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title and reaching a career-high ranking of No. 18.
Eala was included in the Advocates category of the annual list, which recognises 100 influential rising figures across five categories: Phenoms, Artists, Leaders, Innovators and Advocates. Her selection comes after a season in which she has established herself as one of the most notable young players on the WTA Tour.
The biggest moment of Eala’s season came at the DC Open in August, where she became the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title. She defeated the top three seeds on her way to the trophy, adding another landmark achievement to a career that has accelerated rapidly over the past two seasons.
Nadal, who has known Eala since her time at the Rafa Nadal Academy, was chosen to write a tribute to the young star for TIME. His message also revealed a more personal connection between the pair, with Eala becoming the first player Nadal shared a court with after his retirement.
Nadal recalls returning to the court with Eala
Nadal explained that Eala played a role in bringing him back to tennis after he had stepped away from professional competition. The Spaniard said that Eala asked him if he wanted to hit with her, leading him to pick up a racket for the first time in months.
“Alexandra Eala was the first player I shared a tennis court with after my retirement. One day, she asked whether I felt like hitting with her for a while. For the first time in many months, I picked up a racket and played again.”
Alexandra Eala celebrates win Rome Open 2026
Nadal has followed Eala’s development closely since she began her journey at his academy, and he highlighted the speed of her progress. He also pointed to her victory over three Grand Slam champions at the 2025 Miami Open as an early indication of what she could achieve at the highest level.
“At just 19, Alex beat three Grand Slam champion players at the 2025 Miami Open. This year, she won the WTA 500 tournament, becoming the first player from the Philippines to break into the world’s top 20. And she still has plenty of room to grow. One of her greatest strengths is precisely her ability to listen, learn, and keep improving.”
Eala earns praise for more than her tennis
Eala’s TIME recognition comes not only from her results on court but also from the broader impact of her rise. Her breakthrough has made her a prominent figure in Philippine sport, with her achievements helping to raise the profile of tennis in a country that has never previously had a player reach the WTA top 20.
For Nadal, however, Eala’s qualities away from the court are just as important. The 22-time Grand Slam champion praised her personality and ability to remain grounded despite the attention surrounding her rapid rise.
“But perhaps more importantly, Alex remains a wonderful person—warm, approachable, and humble. 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. Now, all that remains is to keep enjoying watching her progress.”
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Eala’s inclusion makes her the only tennis player among TIME’s 100 rising figures for 2026, adding another distinction to a season already defined by historic milestones.
The Filipino star was also in action at the Asian Games, where she claimed the bronze medal. The top seed lost her semifinal clash against China’s Wang Xinyu 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
“I’m really happy to have experienced this, to experience the support... and to be with the team and, yeah, to compete for the country,” she told reporters. “I had a couple of ups and downs during the match, which is something I have to talk to my team about and process.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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