World no. 56 Alex Eala’s first Grand Slam win will come. But for now, she’s already living the dream. And even if it doesn’t feel real — it absolutely is.
The moment didn’t feel real, but it was unmistakably hers.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala may have exited the women's singles of Wimbledon right at the first round, but the 20-year-old Filipina left Centre Court with a heart full of pride and a story worthy of tennis history.
“Realized something funny yesterday — when you’re living your dream, it doesn’t feel real,” she wrote in an Instagram post while sharing snapshots from her Grand Slam main draw debut at the All England Club.
Facing defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcíková, Eala looked every bit ready for the moment.
She stormed through the opening set with fearless shotmaking and a veteran’s poise, stunning the Centre Court crowd with a 6-3 win and earning high praise from Krejcikova herself.
“I mean, what the hell she played in the first set. She was smashing the ball, cleaning the lines… wow,” the Czech star said in the post-game interview.
[ALSO READ: Barbora Krejcíková praises Alex Eala after Wimbledon win: ‘It's the next generation coming’]
The match ultimately slipped from Eala’s grasp as Krejcikova leaned on her championship pedigree to reel off the next two sets, 6-2, 6-1.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala fails to sustain strong start, drops Wimbledon opener to defending champ Krejcíková]
It marked the Filipina tennis star's second straight Grand Slam main draw exit after falling in the first round of the French Open last May.
But her Wimbledon moment was more than just a result.
“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,” Eala continued.
However, the world no. 56 player is not done yet, as she is set to make her doubles debut at the only grass-court Grand Slam of the year.
Eala and German partner Eva Lys will open their Wimbledon campaign against the tandem American Quinn Gleason and Brazilian Ingrid Martins of Brazil. The match is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:10 p.m. Philippine time.