Eala Makes History for the Philippines, Stunning Defending Champion Swiatek at Wimbledon

Wimbledon is approximately 6,700 miles from Manila.

A long way from home for Alexandra Eala, who stepped onto Centre Court for the second time on Saturday and emerged with her first victory on the hallowed, 104-year-old court. The 21-year-old trailblazer stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, to become the first woman from the Philippines to reach the second week at Wimbledon.

Since bursting onto the big stage in Miami last year, the fiery southpaw has been making history for herself and her nation, reeling off a string of eye-catching upsets and climbing steadily through the rankings. She became the first Filipina to crack the Top 100, then the Top 50, as well as the first from her country to win a Grand Slam main-draw match and reach a WTA final.

On Saturday, she added another milestone. After collapsing to the grass in celebration after a victory that featured an 84-minute opening set, she explained what the moment meant.

“Maybe for someone like Iga, who has won so many Slams, or maybe someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines,” Eala said before adding: “I went with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my… ruffled socks… and chubby cheeks, so… this is everything.

“How many times have I dreamed of opportunities like this? When I win a first-set tiebreak 11-9, I have to take those opportunities because they are blessings. Being here is a blessing. I worked super, super hard to get here.

“If I have the chance, I’m taking it.”

Eala, seeded 29th, will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16.

Swiatek’s loss, along with Elena Rybakina’s upset at the hands of Elise Mertens, means that Barbora Krejcikova is the only remaining former Wimbledon singles champion remaining in the draw.

Since Serena Williams last title at Wimbledon in 2016, all women’s singles champions have been first-time winners at the All England Club.

“Obviously, because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied,” Eala said. “So… yeah. Okay, next round. Let’s go.”

No crumbling

To get the victory Eala had to come through a tense first-set tiebreak after a trade of breaks in games eight and nine. She saved two set points and converted her third to take the lead.

“I was just thinking one point at a time,” she told reporters. “I think when you think it’s 9-All or 10-9, I think you start to kind of crumble a little bit. One point at a time, it helps.

“At the end of the day, Iga is such an amazing player, so you never really know what’s going to happen. Once I saw my opportunities or once I see the ball coming, I go for it. Not much thinking. It’s more instinct, I would say.”

Defending champion Swiatek credited Eala for her courage in those moments.

“I felt like Alexandra was more brave in important moments,” she said. “In the tiebreak we both had many chances to close the set earlier, and it didn’t go my way.”