Iga Swiatek Throws Racket in Fit of Anger During Alexandra Eala Wimbledon Upset

Iga Swiatek‘s Wimbledon campaign ended in disappointment. Competing as the defending champion, the Pole suffered a 7-6(9), 6-2 defeat at the hands of 29th seed Alexandra Eala in the third round.

The win helped the Filipino improve her head-to-head record over the Pole to 2-1. Before this Wimbledon, they met twice last year. Eala upset Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, but the former World No.1 took her revenge in the second round of the Madrid Open.

When Eala was 4-2 in the tie-breaker, frustration got the better of Swiatek, who flung the racket into her own bag. Swiatek once again suffered an early-round exit this season.

Wściekła Iga Świątek rzuciła rakietą 🎾

📸 Polsat Sport pic.twitter.com/wvDuNSFixI

— Adrian Lozio (@AdrianLozio) July 4, 2026

Before arriving in London, the six-time Grand Slam champion, who reached her career’s first grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open, lost in the opening round of this tournament (Emma Navarro defeated her). It was the second time this season that she lost in the opening round of an event, following the Miami Open (countrywoman Magda Linette beat her).

The former World No.1, who double-bageled Amanda Anisimova in last year’s Wimbledon final, broke down in tears after overcoming Taylor Townsend in the first round. But she easily defeated fellow former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova in the second round.

Alexandra Eala gets emotional after defeating Iga Swiatek

Alexandra Eala will be playing in the fourth round of a Major for the first time in her career. She made her Wimbledon debut last year and suffered an opening-round exit. The only time she reached the second round of a Major before this Wimbledon was in last year’s US Open.

I don’t know how to describe it. I’m in the second week of a Slam. It’s amazing for me. Iga is a phenomenal player and a really nice person. I’m really grateful to be able to share Centre Court with her at Wimbledon. I’m really emotional. Maybe for someone like Iga who’s won so many Slams or someone like Serena [Williams] or Venus [Williams], this achievement may seem small… but for someone who grew up in the Philippines…

Alexandra Eala said during the on-court interview

Eala started to cry. She has become the first player from the Philippines (man or woman) in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.

It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on and knowing that we’re all in this together… This goes out to them. This goes out to my family. This goes out to all the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world.

Alexandra Eala added

Eala will next be facing Jasmine Paolini. The Italian ace, who knocked out Maria Sakkari, is a former singles finalist at SW19. She reached the stage in 2024 and lost the title to Barbora Krejcikova. But last year, her run ended in the second round. Paolini will be playing the fourth round of a Major singles tournament for the first time since the 2024 French Open.

Eala will be meeting Paolini for the second time in her career. They met this year in the round of 32 of the Dubai Tennis Championships, with Eala winning.

Eala has so far progressed to one tour-level final. She reached the title clash of last year’s Eastbourne International and lost the title to Maya Joint. It was the Australian, also Serena Williams’ conqueror, whom Eala knocked out in the second round.

Eala has won one grass-court title in the WTA 125 category (this year’s Birmingham Classic by beating Nikola Bartunkova). The two-time Grand Slam singles finalist, on the other hand, played just one final on grass (2024 Wimbledon).

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