Wimbledon’s Centre Court is approximately 6,700 miles from Manila.
A long way from home for Alexandra Eala, who stepped onto the hallowed court for the first time on Saturday and made an introduction to remember. The 21-year-old trailblazer stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, to become the first woman from the Philippines to reach the second week at Wimbledon.
Since bursting onto the big stage in Miami last year, the fiery southpaw has been making history for herself and her nation, reeling off a string of eye-catching upsets and climbing steadily through the rankings. She became the first Filipina to crack the Top 100, then the Top 50, as well as the first from her country to win a Grand Slam main-draw match and reach a WTA final.
On Saturday, she added another milestone. After collapsing to the grass in celebration after a victory that featured an 84-minute opening set, she explained what the moment meant.
“Maybe for someone like Iga, who has won so many Slams, or maybe someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines,” Eala said before adding: “I went with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my… ruffled socks… and chubby cheeks, so… this is everything.
“How many times have I dreamed of opportunities like this? When I win a first-set tiebreak 11-9, I have to take those opportunities because they are blessings. Being here is a blessing. I worked super, super hard to get here.
“If I have the chance, I’m taking it.”
Eala, seeded 29th, will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16.
Swiatek’s loss, along with Elena Rybakina’s upset at the hands of Elise Mertens, means that Barbora Krejcikova is the only remaining former Wimbledon singles champion remaining in the draw.
Since Serena Williams last title at Wimbledon in 2016, all women’s singles champions have been first-time winners at the All England Club.
“Obviously, because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied,” Eala said. “So… yeah. Okay, next round. Let’s go.”
More to follow…
