Alex Eala wears the NIKE by You Tee in Sampaguita. Photographed by Mark Nicdao
One year after her Championships debut, Alex Eala returns to Wimbledon to make history as the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16.
Looking back on her tennis journey so far, Alex Eala made it clear before the start of the year that she would aim even higher. And the Philippines witnessed exactly that over the weekend, when she made history as the first Filipino to reach the Wimbledon Round of 16.
Held annually in the suburb of Wimbledon in southwest London, England, Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious international tennis tournament in the world. Among the 128 players who qualified for this year’s singles draw was Eala, representing the Philippines. After winning her opening two matches, she advanced to face defending champion and current world number three, Iga Świątek.
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle between Eala and Świątek, ultimately forcing a tiebreak. After an hour and a half, Eala emerged victorious with an 11-9 score before taking the second set 6-2 to win the match.
“I’m so proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished. I’m [also] proud and grateful [to] the team and all the effort that they’ve put in. I’m just happy that, you know, they see results and that I can share this happiness with them also,” she told Vogue Philippines in an interview in December 2025.
At 21, this is Eala’s second Wimbledon appearance after making her Championships debut against then-reigning champion Barbora Krejčíková in 2025. Thirteen months later, she returned to Centre Court, securing her seventh victory over a top 10 player and her first of the season, marking another milestone for Philippine tennis.
After advancing to the fourth round, Eala is set to face former finalist Jasmin Paolini of Italy today, with a place in the quarterfinals and another historic milestone in her Grand Slam campaign on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alex Eala is a Filipino professional tennis player and one of the country’s top athletes. She rose to international prominence after winning the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title and has since become the first Filipino to reach several Grand Slam milestones, including the Wimbledon Round of 16.
Wimbledon, officially known as The Championships, Wimbledon, is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Held annually in southwest London, England, it is the only Grand Slam event played on grass courts.
Iga Świątek is a Polish professional tennis player and multiple-time Grand Slam champion. Formerly ranked world No. 1, she is widely regarded as one of the best players of her generation and entered Wimbledon 2026 as the world No. 3.
Jasmin Paolini is an Italian professional tennis player and a former Wimbledon finalist. Known for her speed and consistency, she is one of Italy’s leading players.
Barbora Krejčíková is a Czech professional tennis player and Grand Slam champion. She won the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2025 and was the reigning champion when Alex Eala made her Championships debut that same year.
