Alexandra Eala Hailed as ‘Biggest Star on WTA Tour’ After Historic Wimbledon Run

Alexandra Eala scripted history at Wimbledon. After ending Iga Swiatek‘s bid to defend the title with a straight-set win in the third round, Eala became the first player, male or female, from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.

The 21-year-old improved her head-to-head record over the Pole to 2-1, as she also defeated her in last year’s Miami Open but lost in the second round of the Madrid Open the same year. After knocking out Swiatek, Eala lost in three sets to 2024 Wimbledon singles runner-up Jasmine Paolini.

Eala is a superstar in the Philippines. And from the former British No.1, she got the label of the biggest star on the WTA Tour. He said on the Off Court with Greg podcast:

She’s like the [new] Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines. Everybody turns on the TV to watch her. The whole nation comes to a standstill. Wherever she is in the world, everybody wants to see her. She’s the biggest star on the WTA tour. I love a lefty. You know, the Swiatek match was absolutely brilliant. Paolini, she battled, didn’t find a way to get through that but got close.

Eala met Paolini for the second time in her career. In their previous match, in the round of 32 of the Dubai Tennis Championships, Eala clinched the win in straight sets.

But for me, the most impressive thing was her mentality. Between the ears, never say die. She always gets stuck in. She’s grinding. She’s fighting. And this is the big breakthrough. Can she continue it on the hard courts coming up this summer? I think so. If she can get a little bit more pop on the first and second serve, she’s good. She’s a great tactician.

Greg Rusedski added

Eala has yet to win a tour-level title in her career. Last year, she made the final of the Eastbourne International, which she lost to Maya Joint.

Swiatek, on the other hand, hasn’t yet won a title since last year’s Korea Open. Last year at Wimbledon, she double-bageled Amanda Anisimova in the final to win her first grass-court title and later went on to defeat

Alexandra Eala is hoping to have a good run at the US Open

The next major is the US Open. Alexandra Eala made her debut here last year and suffered a second-round defeat at the hands of Cristina Bucsa. Her run to the fourth round at the All England Club has boosted her confidence, and now Eala wishes to have another such campaign in the New York Major.

Yeah, I think this week in general will add to my confidence. I mean, if this week doesn’t… It’s been one of my best results, right? Of course, it will add confidence. I think it’s important that every match I played this week, and every match that I play, I go in with the self-esteem and the thought that I’m able to win.

Alexandra Eala said at the press conference after her defeat to Jasmine Paolini

The Filipino is next scheduled to play the Citi Open, the main draw of which is set to start on July 27. She did not play the WTA 500 event on the North American hardcourt swing last year. Eala, however, made her debut at the Canadian Open, where she suffered a first-round exit.

Eala’s best run in WTA 1000s was reaching the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open. This year in Dubai, she also made the quarterfinals. At the US Open, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will be competing as the defending champion. She defeated Amanda Anisimova last year.

Also read: Two Former World No.1s Give Insights into Alexander Zverev’s Mentality After Losing the Wimbledon Final to Jannik Sinner