‘Living my dream’: Alex Eala revels in historic Wimbledon stint

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Alex Eala savors being 'part of something bigger' than herself as she makes history for the Philippines following her Wimbledon main draw debut

MANILA, Philippines – Playing at Centre Court in Wimbledon is perhaps every tennis player’s dream.

That dream became a reality for Filipina ace Alex Eala as she battled defending champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in the opening round, dropping a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 loss on Tuesday, July 1.

“Realized something funny yesterday — when you’re living your dream, it doesn’t feel real,” Eala wrote on her Instagram page on Wednesday, July 2. “Yesterday, I was living my dream.”

While her run proved short-lived as Krejcikova completed the come-from-behind win, Eala made history for the Philippines.

Eala became the first Filipino in the Open era to see action in the Wimbledon main draw, even putting Krejcikova on the ropes by winning the first set.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better debut. That match was special in more ways than one — to be able to fulfill a childhood dream and be part of something bigger than myself, history for my country,” said the 20-year-old.

And Eala is just starting. Even Krejcikova believes so.

“She’s going to come up and she’s going to be really good in a couple of years,” Krejcikova said of Eala.

Eala has been enjoying a stellar year.

She put the world on notice with her semifinal appearance in the Miami Open in March, reached her first WTA final in the Eastbourne Open in June, then rose to a new career-high world ranking of No. 56. – Rappler.com