Alex Eala defeated Iga Swiatek to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The Filipina won a thrilling first set 7-6 (11-9), before racing into a 5-2 lead in the second.
Last year’s champion, Swiatek, tried her best to hold off Eala in the final game, but eventually fell to defeat 6-7, 2-6, on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
How many Grand Slams will Alex Eala win in her career? 🏆
She's just knocked out the defending Wimbledon champion!
Eala impressed many players, past and present, with her statement third-round win, including tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Billie Jean King praises Alex Eala’s concentration and poise as she shares her hope for tennis in the Philippines
During the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, King delivered her verdict on the match.
“I’ve been watching her for a few years now,” she said.
“Her concentration… Today, she was so poised.”
King then shared the details of a conversation she had with Eala earlier in the day.
“We had a great chat, because we both grew up with our brothers, and I had a younger brother who played 12 years of professional baseball, and she’s such close friends with her brother, and that’s what it was for me too, so we kind of hit it off there,” she said.
“Then we talked about her grandfather a little bit.
“She’s so grounded for her age, and she’s so thankful, she has such gratitude, already at a young age.”
King then outlined her hopes for the future of tennis in the Philippines.
“It’s so big for the Philippines, I am so happy for her and the country,” said King.
“I have never seen anything like it.
“I just hope every child, both boys and girls, because they talk about girls, I was thinking, why not boys!
“I hope they take up the sport, it’s the sport of a lifetime, it’s also the healthiest sport in the world.
“So why not?”
At 21, Eala has already grown a remarkable fanbase, inspiring millions from the Philippines and around the world.
She’s only been on tour for a couple of years, but her impact will last a lifetime.
Earlier this year, the Philippines hosted a professional tennis event in Manila, attempting to capitalise on Eala’s popularity.
Eala reached the quarter-finals of the Philippine Women’s Open, losing to Colombia’s Camila Osorio, the eventual champion.
The event granted opportunities for three Filipinas: Kaye Ann Emana, Tennielle Madis, and Elizabeth Abarquez to play in the main draw of a WTA 125 event.
All three players lost their opening matches in straight sets, but gained invaluable experience, which they have Eala to thank for.
Whether they will follow in her footsteps and beat Grand Slam champions on Wimbledon’s Centre Court remains to be seen.
Alex Eala says it’s an ‘honour’ to pave the way for young girls in the Philippines
During her post-match press conference, Eala was asked what it means to her to be a role model for women and girls in the Philippines.
“Heavy question!” she said.
“Well, you got me speechless there. It’s an honour to be able to pave the way for young girls.
“It would be the honour of my life to be able to inspire others.
“I think inspiration is such a beautiful thing.
“Then again, I want to remind anybody that you can take inspiration from anywhere you want.
“Anywhere, anyone, if you want to be inspired, and if you’re inspired by it, it will just come to you.
“I try to be as authentic as I can. I believe in being genuine. I believe in my values.
“This exposure, I guess, or this platform that I have, has really allowed me to self-reflect.
“It allows me to become the best version of myself, because I know that a lot of people look up to me.
“Then again, I think the main message here is that I don’t want them to look at me and say, I want to be the next Alex Eala.
“I want them to look at me and say, Wow, I want to be the first me. I want to make my own path.”
Eala will now focus on her ‘path’ to the Wimbledon title.
Next up for the 29th seed is a blockbuster fourth-round clash with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
Eala defeated Paolini earlier this year at the Dubai Tennis Championships and will look to repeat the feat at Wimbledon when they face off on Monday, July 6.
