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Alex Eala thanks Rafael Nadal after he congratulated her on being named on most influential young stars list

Alex Eala expressed deep gratitude after tennis legend Rafael Nadal authored a tribute celebrating her inclusion on TIME magazine's elite list of the top 100 rising stars. Nadal highlighted her historic 2026 campaign, which featured a breakthrough WTA 500 title that made her the first Filipino player to crack the top 20 rankings, alongside strong performances at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Speaking with reporters shortly after claiming a bronze medal at the Asian Games, Eala admitted she felt profoundly humbled by the recognition and thanked the Spaniard for taking the time to write the profile.

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