Eala's old tennis club in Manila celebrates her magic Wimbledon moment
What a victory. What a moment. What a player.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines has dethroned defending champion Iga Swiatek on Centre Court as her Wimbledon adventure gathers career-enhancing momentum. She will now contest the round of 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time.
It is a result that has reverberated around the world and inspired aspiring players everywhere. Eala is a massive star back home and beyond – and there are already plans to bring fans together in Manila and throughout the Philippines as Alex continues her journey.
This is how the Valle Verde Country Club in Manila, where Eala learnt to play tennis with her grandfather Bobby and brother Miko, celebrated her stunning victory.
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As ever, before the world watches, the home court cheers.
“I still remember when she had chubby cheeks and wore ruffle socks, giving her 10-and-under boy opponents a hard time,” said Tonette Mendoza, the General Secretary of the Philippine Tennis Association.
“Seeing the woman she has become fills us with so much pride. She is an extraordinary tennis player with a big heart, representing the very best of the Philippines.”
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Eala’s potential has been no secret and she has a big World Tennis background. She is a former junior world No. 2 who won the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title, which was particularly special given her paternal grandparents, Frankie and Melinda, met in New York in the 1980s.
Eala, who represented her nation at the 2019 World Junior Tennis Finals – for players aged 14 and under, has chalked up five World Tennis Tour titles since clinching her first in January 2021.
To assist her ongoing development, Eala is also a four-time recipient of a Grand Slam Player Grant through the World Tennis-operated Grand Slam Player Development Programme.
Grand Slam Player Grants are awarded to talented players from underrepresented and under-resourced nations to help with their ongoing development costs.
The grants are funded by the four Grand Slams through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme, but it is World Tennis modelling that determines the players selected
In 2023, World Tennis travelled to the Rafa Nadal Academy in October to spend a few days with Eala and film Day in the Life: Alexandra Eala, perhaps knowing that one day she would achieve this level of stardom. The video has been watched nearly 750,000 times. Enjoy!