Alex Eala emotional as little kid from PH reaches Wimbledon last 16

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates winning the third round women’s singles match against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 4, 2026.(AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala continues to win the biggest matches of her young career, with defending champion Iga Swiatek her latest conquest as she became the first Filipino to reach the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon.

It still pales in comparison to the achievements of Grand Slam champions like Swiatek, but for Eala, it means everything for a kid who grew up in the Philippines, where tennis is far from a major sport.

READ: Alex Eala writes history for Philippines at Wimbledon

“I’m really emotional. Maybe for someone like Iga, who has won so many slams, or maybe someone like Serena or Venus (Williams), this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines… You know 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,” an emotional Eala said after her 7-6 (9), 6-2 victory over Swiatek on Saturday at Centre Court.

“To her, this is everything.”

But Eala, who is playing the best tennis of her career, has no plans of slowing down as she faces Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates winning the third round women’s singles match against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 4, 2026.(AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

“Obviously, because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied. So next round, let’s go,” she said.

The Filipino tennis ace dedicated the victory to her countrymen at Centre Court and to her supporters back home as she advanced to the second week of Wimbledon.

“This is one of the biggest matches of my life, for sure. And this is my dream court, so I’m really happy with the atmosphere that you guys gave. Thank you so much for cheering me on,” Eala said.

Eala, in her first seeded campaign in a Grand Slam at No.29, took down  Maya Joint of Australia with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 win. She gained her first Wimbledon triumph against Mexican Renata Zarazua, 6-1, 6-2.

In her third meeting with world No. 3 Swiatek—and their first at a Grand Slam and on grass—Eala got the better of the six-time Grand Slam champion.

As she continues to make history, Eala said every milestone is dedicated to her younger self and to the Philippines.

“It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on, and knowing that, you know, we’re all in this together. So this goes out to them, this goes out to my family, this goes out to all of the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world,” she said.