Alexandra Eala Warns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek Ahead of Wimbledon Clash: “I’m Going to Make It Tough for Her”

Alexandra Eala faces a tough challenge against Iga Swiatek. The Filipino reached the third round of a Major for the first time in her career after knocking out Maya Joint, who upset Serena Williams in the first round.

Swiatek, even though she clinched an easy win over fellow former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova, cried uncontrollably after overcoming Taylor Townsend in the first round. She will be facing Eala for the third time in her career.

They played their previous two matches last year. The 21-year-old upset the six-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, but Swiatek took her revenge in the second round of the Madrid Open. Eala, at the press conference after her second-round win, sent a warning to the former World No.1.

It’s going to be a tough match for me…but I’m going to try to make it a tough match for her too. It’s a surface different from the ones we’ve faced each other on before, so there will be different aspects compared to our recent duels. Iga has won a Grand Slam on grass. She’s won a Slam on clay. She’s won a Slam on hardcourt. What to expect if not a great challenge? (laughs)… But I think I’m ready for it. I’m ready to give it all, yes.

Eala made her debut at Wimbledon last year and suffered an opening-round exit. In this year’s Australian Open and French Open, her run ended in the first round. Eala has yet to clinch a tour-level title. She played the final of the Eastbourne International last year but lost the title to Joint. This year, she took home the WTA 125 Birmingham Open.

Eala played three tour-level tournaments on grass before arriving at Wimbledon. After losing her second match at the Queen’s Club Championships, she reached the semifinals of the Berlin Open but lost in the opening round of the Bad Homburg Open. Eala also played doubles in the grass-court Major with Nikola Bartunkova, but they lost in the first round.

Iga Swiatek on her easy win over Karolina Pliskova

Iga Swiatek has been struggling with form issues since the start of the season. Even on clay, where she has won four French Open titles, she failed to reach the final. The only time she played a semifinal this season was at the Italian Open, where eventual champion Elina Svitolina knocked her out.

Before arriving at Wimbledon, the 25-year-old suffered an opening-round exit at the Bad Homburg Open. It was the second time Swiatek lost in the opening round of a tournament this season.

At the Miami Open, countrywoman Magda Linette beat her in the opening round. In the ongoing event, Swiatek, after breezing past Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3, explained why she was able to end the match quickly in her favor.

I am happy with how I played. I was quite solid, focused, and consistent throughout the match, which makes me happy. I really cannot compare these matches because they were obviously against different opponents, different playing styles. I think today there was more rhythm. Taylor played a much more challenging match, so sometimes it was harder to adapt to that.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

In last year’s Wimbledon final, the Pole double-bageled Amanda Anisimova, winning her career’s first grass-court title. She made her career’s first grass-court final in Bad Homburg last year but lost the title to Jessica Pegula.

If Swiatek reaches the fourth round, she will face Maria Sakkari or two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Jasmine Paolini. Swiatek last won a singles title at the 2025 Korea Open.

Also read: Iga Swiatek Explains How Changing Wimbledon Grass Courts Level the Playing Field for Heavy Topspin