Alexandra Eala was able to continue her run at Wimbledon after knocking out defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Eala had never been past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament before Wimbledon, but she has now reached the second week of the grass court major.
The Filipina had already beaten both Renata Zarazua and Maya Joint, but Eala pulled off her best victory yet after dethroning Swiatek at Wimbledon.
After beating the defending champion 7-6(9), 6-2, Eala delivered a powerful message in her post-match interview on Centre Court.
Everything Alexandra Eala said after beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon
Eala had already become the first player from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam and now she has bettered this record even more.
In her on-court interview after the match, Eala admitted she was feeling emotional as she reflected on her journey to get to where she is now, but she stated that she is certainly not done yet.
“I don’t know how to describe it. I’m into the second week of a Slam and it’s amazing for me,” said Eala. “Iga is a phenomenal player and a really nice person, so I’m really grateful to be able to share Centre Court with her at Wimbledon nonetheless.
“I’m really emotional and maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many Slams, maybe someone like Serena or Venus [Williams] this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines and I went to train with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my ruffled socks, my high-top shoes and my chubby cheeks so to her this is everything.
“But obviously, because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied, so next round let’s go.”
How many Grand Slams will Alex Eala win in her career? 🏆
She's just knocked out the defending Wimbledon champion!
Eala is one of the most popular tennis players right now and this was evidenced once again on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, where the crowd showed their appreciation for her throughout and after the match, of which she thanked them for.
“Of course this is one of the biggest matches of my life, for sure, and this is my dream court and I am really happy with the atmosphere you guys gave. Thank you so much for cheering me on,” added Eala.
“You know, how many times I have dreamed of opportunities like this when I win a first set 11-9, so 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 the chance I’m taking it.”
This atmosphere included a number of people holding the Philippines flag, which Eala also reacted to on court.
Eala said, “It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on and knowing that we are all in this together, so this goes out to them, this goes out to my family, this goes out to all the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks, so it means the world.”
Give us your one crazy prediction for the second week of Wimbledon!
Greg Rusedski and Pam Shriver react to Alexandra Eala beating Iga Swiatek
With Eala beating defending Wimbledon champion Swiatek there was always going to be a big reaction, and two former US Open finalists in Greg Rusedski and Pam Shriver have also given their thoughts.
“I said this was going to be the match of the day, I felt Eala had a chance. That first set was the best first set of the Championships. She’s on her knees, what a moment,” Rusedski said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The first Filipino in the history of the game to defeat a Wimbledon champion on top of that, first time in the fourth round, she is making history, she is the real deal, boy, the future is bright, and will it be her year?”
Shriver added, “I can’t believe what I’ve watched. Really, the first set was extraordinary, the way that it ended, in a tiebreak that was extended, and then such a quick lead to Eala, to get out two breaks…”
Eala is now into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time, and is just one win away from the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
Standing in Eala’s way of reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals is former finalist Jasmine Paolini, who she actually beat in Dubai earlier this year.
