Source : ABC NEWS
Despite falling short of reaching the quarterfinals, Alexandra Eala still made a lasting impact at Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old Filipina had ousted defending champion Iga Świątek but could not solve Jasmine Paolini, losing 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on centre court.
For Filipino fans, both at watch parties back home and at the All England Club, wins and losses are not everything.
“She’s like a ray of hope for the Philippines,” fan Roberto Ocampo Jr said at Wimbledon.
“Especially at her age. She made history. That’s one thing that we can tell to the next generation.”
Eala, who lost in the first round a year ago in her Wimbledon debut, became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a grand slam singles tournament in the Open era.
“Setting foot here is already a big achievement,” said Ocampo, a London-based nurse.
The left-handed Eala talked this week about Filipino pride and being a role model for kids back home, but she also made it clear that she has big plans for her tennis career.
In dissecting her loss to Paolini, she pointed to problems with her serve.
Jasmine Paolini shut out the noise to win in three sets. (Getty Images: Robert Prange)
“I have days like that. Everyone has days where they don’t play their best tennis,” said Eala, who trained at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain as a teenager.
“I understand that’s part of the job. I don’t think I’m going to be playing the best tennis of my life every single day.
“With that being said, I’m really proud of how I handled things. I just have to kind of move forward and continue with my progress.”
Eala, whose fans took over outside courts at the Australian Open in January, made a breakthrough in March 2025 by reaching the Miami Open semifinals and has elevated her stardom at Wimbledon.
Eala met Kate, the Princess of Wales, and took a photo with her. A photo of Eala diving for a ball in the match against Świątek has also made the rounds, with edits showing her wearing a cape and “Superwoman” outfit.
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The Philippines embassy in the UK has tracked her progress and posted congratulatory notes.
Eala spoke earlier in the tournament about her childhood memories of boxing great Manny Pacquiao.
“When he would have fights, it would really be like holidays in the Philippines,” she said.
“We would gather, and we would watch his fights. People would go off work. It would really be an event. He is someone super inspiring as an athlete.”
Similarly, Filipino Olympic champions are treated as national heroes.
Gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, returned home to pledges of cash and gifts, including a house. Eala also cited champion weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
And now there is Eala.
Kostyuk up next for Paolini
Marta Kostyuk felt the pressure as a heavy favourite against Ashlyn Krueger. (Getty Images: Robert Prange)
Paolini will face another big test when she meets Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk, who began the eighth day’s proceedings with a 6-4, 6-4 win over American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger on court two as the heat began to make life uncomfortable.
After a heatwave last week, which broke British records for June at about 37 degrees Celsius, the second week of the tournament is forecast to see temperatures climb again into the 30s.
“It was a pretty stressful match for me because I was the one coming into this match with being a favourite with such a good opportunity, playing for the first quarterfinal here in Wimbledon,” Kostyuk said.
“Of course, there was more pressure. I think just all these things kind of connected. For sure the heat didn’t help.”
Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys joined Krueger in exiting the All England Club with a 6-4, 7-6(7/2) loss to rising Czech Linda Nosková, who reached the last eight of the grand slam for the first time.
The 21-year-old Nosková, who is eager to follow in the footsteps of her champion compatriots Petra Kvitová, Markéta Vondroušová and Barbora Krejčíková, will face Elise Mertens after the Belgian beat Czech Marie Bouzková 6-4, 6-4.
AP/Reuters
