MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis player Alex Eala has been included in the 2026 Forbes “30 Under 30” list for sports and entertainment, recognizing young athletes and entertainers making an impact in their fields.
Forbes released the list on Thursday, describing it as a recognition of “the next generation of talent—on court and the screen.”
The publication cited Eala’s rise over the past year, highlighted by her performance at the 2025 Miami Open, where she posted a breakthrough run.
Forbes also noted Eala’s role in boosting interest in tennis in the Philippines, where basketball and volleyball remain among the country’s most followed sports.
“Alexandra Eala got Filipinos fired up about tennis after she broke into the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) Top 50 last year,” the article titled “The Gen Z Athletes And Music Artists Rewriting The Playbook” stated.
Eala acknowledged the support she has received from Filipino fans during tournaments, particularly from overseas supporters.
“The support has been incredible,” Eala said in an email to Forbes. “Tennis can sometimes feel quiet and serious, so having that energy makes it special.”
Eala, currently ranked No. 37 in the world, recently concluded her campaign at the 2026 French Open.
Other athletes included in the Forbes list were Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers, chess player Divya Deshmukh, golfers Shannon Tan and Minjee Lee, and sprinter Gout Gout.
