“I felt like a princess”: Alex Eala explains how Filipino culture became part of her tennis identity
WTAWednesday, 15 July 2026 at 06:30
Alex Eala’s Wimbledon breakthrough was not only about defeating Iga Swiatek or reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. For the 21-year-old Filipino star, the biggest moment of her career so far was also a reminder of where she came from — from the childhood memories that shaped her to the Filipino culture she proudly carries onto the biggest stages in tennis.
During her homecoming press conference in Manila, Eala opened up about the emotional moments behind her rise, including the image of herself as a young girl with “chubby cheeks, ruffled socks and light-up shoes” that appeared in her mind during her historic Wimbledon run.
“I cannot speak for how people perceive me before or after my Wimbledon run,” Eala said. “But I do know that I don’t see myself any differently. I’ve experienced all the hard work that I’ve put in. I know who I am.”
Eala’s breakthrough season has transformed her from one of the most promising young players on tour into one of the most exciting rising stars in women’s tennis. After a spectacular grass-court swing that included a title at the WTA 125 event in Birmingham, a semifinal appearance at the WTA 500 tournament in Berlin and her first Grand Slam second-week appearance at Wimbledon, the Filipino has climbed to a career-high No. 28 ranking.
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“I know who I am”: Eala explains why Wimbledon success did not change her
For many young players, a breakthrough moment can bring a new level of attention, pressure and expectations. Eala, however, believes the key to handling that transition is staying connected to the person she was before the results arrived.
“I think it’s very important when you’re in such public settings and in such vulnerable settings to know who you truly are,” she explained. “I’m confident to say that I’m pretty sure I know who I am.”
The Filipino star acknowledged that she still has plenty of room to grow, both as a player and as a person, despite her rapid rise during the 2026 season. “I’m still young. I think I have a lot of time to develop my character and my personality,” Eala said. “The way I approach tournaments is kind of match by match, round by round,” she said. “I do want to get as far as I possibly can. Of course, the ultimate goal is to win, but I take it round by round.”
Alexandra Eala dives for ball iconic shot at Wimbledon
“That popped into my head”: The childhood memory behind Eala’s Wimbledon moment
Beyond the rankings, victories and milestones, Eala revealed one of the most emotional moments of her Wimbledon campaign came during the closing stages of her victory over Swiatek.
During the match, she found herself thinking about a younger version of herself — the child who dreamed of competing on tennis’ biggest stages.
“It was something that I envisioned in the last changeover,” Eala explained. “When you’re that close, you’re really trying to prevent yourself from thinking about winning. You’re trying to stay in the moment and think about the next point.”
Eala won her third round match against defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6, 6-2. It was her first match at Centre Court in Wimbledon.
But during that final changeover, a special image appeared in her mind. “The image of myself exactly how I described it to be — with my lolo and my kuya — popped into my head,” she said. “It was a really sweet and really sentimental moment for me.”
The memory connected the player she is today with the young girl who began chasing her tennis dreams years ago. After years of development at the Rafael Nadal Academy and a steady rise through the junior and professional ranks, Eala is now establishing herself among the world’s best players.
“I felt like a princess”: How Filipino culture became part of Alex Eala’s identity
While her tennis achievements have made headlines, Eala has also embraced another important part of her identity: representing Filipino culture through her style.
The 21-year-old has increasingly incorporated Filipino elements into her outfits and public appearances, describing fashion as both a personal passion and a way to celebrate where she comes from. “It is a way for me to pay tribute to my culture,” Eala said. “It’s a slight nod to where I come from. On the other hand, it’s also because I genuinely think it’s really beautiful.”
One of her most memorable moments came when she wore a Filipino-inspired design featuring the sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines. “Everybody wanted one,” she said. “I felt super beautiful. I felt confident on court, and I was ready to play.”
She also recalled wearing a Filipiniana outfit at the Laureus Sports Awards, a moment that made her feel connected to her heritage. As her profile continues to grow, Eala hopes to keep exploring that connection between tennis, fashion and Filipino identity.
“I felt so beautiful. I felt like a princess,” Eala said. “I would love to collaborate with Filipino designers. I think my style is quite girly, but also in a confident way, a little edgy. I’m still trying to figure it out, but I think it’s a beautiful process.”
With her ranking now at a career-best No. 28, Eala’s next challenges will come during the North American hard-court swing. She is scheduled to compete at the DC Open before heading to the Canadian Open, where she is expected to enter as the 27th seed, continuing a season that has already changed the trajectory of her career.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist10-07-2026 - "Like if it was hotter, I probably would have won, I'm not gonna lie." Geezus...mandoist08-07-2026
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