Alex Eala’s rise in world tennis is beginning to resonate far beyond the court.
The young Filipina tennis standout has officially been included in the 2026 Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list for entertainment and sports, a recognition that reflects not only her growing profile in international tennis, but also her influence as one of the Philippines’ emerging global athletes.
Forbes pointed to Eala’s breakthrough stretch over the past year, where the 20-year-old continued climbing the women’s professional circuit while producing some of the biggest moments of her career.
Among the milestones highlighted were her stunning victories over Grand Slam champions during her breakout run in Miami, her appearance in a WTA final in Eastbourne in June, and her first-ever Grand Slam singles win at the US Open.
Eala also delivered a historic achievement for the Philippines by capturing the Southeast Asian Games gold medal in women’s tennis — the country’s first gold in the event since 1999.
As her international profile continues to grow, Eala admitted that one of the most meaningful parts of competing abroad has been the overwhelming support she receives from Filipinos around the world.
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Filipino tennis star Alex Eala has been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list
They said Eala “fired up Filipinos about tennis after breaking into the WTA Top 50”
“Tennis can sometimes feel quiet and serious, so having that energy makes it special,” Eala told Forbes. pic.twitter.com/wfzwUKuiCH
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) May 28, 2026
“Tennis can sometimes feel quiet and serious, so having that energy makes it special,” Eala said, as quoted by Forbes.
That support has become increasingly visible throughout her tournaments, with Filipino fans regularly showing up in different countries to cheer her on during matches, turning foreign venues into pockets of home support.
Eala recently faced another learning experience on tour after suffering a first-round exit against Iva Jovic at the French Open. Still, the recognition from Forbes underscores how much ground she has covered in a relatively short period and how highly regarded her trajectory has become across Asia.
Her inclusion also places her alongside some of the region’s biggest young names in sports and entertainment, including Filipino singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo, Japanese baseball star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Australian basketball player Isaac Humphries, New Zealand Olympic champion Hamish Kerr, golfers Minjee Lee and Shannon Tan, Thai badminton silver medalist Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Chinese track athlete Wu Yanni.
For Eala, the latest honor serves as another sign that her journey is no longer just about potential. It is becoming a story of arrival — one match, one milestone, and one breakthrough at a time.
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