For chubby-cheeked Alex: Eala dedicates Wimbledon win to younger self

MANILA, Philippines – Young Alex Eala must be smiling right now. 

Who would have thought that a girl from the Philippines, where tennis is considered a niche sport, would grow up to dethrone the defending champion at the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament?

Eala, 21, did just that as she earned her place in the round of 16 of the Wimbledon Championships by ending the title-repeat bid of Poland’s Iga Swiatek, carving out a splendid 7-6 (9), 6-2 victory on Saturday, July 5.

Sure, the win pales in comparison with what Swiatek, a six-time major champion, and greats like Serena and Venus Williams have achieved. But for Eala, who once dreamed of playing on renowned Centre Court of the All England Club, it meant the world. 

“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… I went to train with my brother and my grandfather every day after school, with my ruffled socks and my light-up shoes, and chubby cheeks. To her, this is everything,” Eala said, brushing away tears. 

Swiatek, a former world No. 1 now ranked third, posed a daunting challenge.

Not only did Swiatek capture the Wimbledon crown last year, she did so in historic fashion as just the second player in the Open era — man or woman — to win a Grand Slam final without dropping a game following her 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of the USA’s Amanda Anisimova. 

Eala, though, proved she was up to the task.

The world No. 32 Filipina saved two set points to win a nervy first-set tiebreak, 11-9, then raced to a commanding 4-0 lead in the second set en route to the 2-hour, 14-minute victory that propelled her to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. 

“When I have my opportunities, I have to take it because they’re blessings. Being here is a blessing. I worked super, super hard to get here and I’m taking it. If I have it, I have the chance, I’m taking it,” said Eala.

And to win before her flag-waving compatriots made the feat much sweeter for Eala, who will shoot for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals against 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy. 

“It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on and knowing that we’re all in this together. This goes to them, this goes out to my family, this goes out to all the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world,” Eala said. – Rappler.com