Alex Eala Stages Grass Comeback in Wimbledon Debut vs. Defending Champion
As the 20-year-old Eastbourne finalist faces two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round of Wimbledon, Filipino tennis players and coaches weigh in on her chances
Grass is Greener
Alex Eala Stages Grass Comeback in Wimbledon Debut vs. Defending Champion
As the 20-year-old Eastbourne finalist faces two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round of Wimbledon, Filipino tennis players and coaches weigh in on her chances
By Christian San Jose
22 hours ago
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Alex Eala Wimbledon
Alex Eala continues to make history fresh off her first career finals. Now, as the first Filipina to play at Wimbledon, she faces a tall order versus the defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. Art by Bea Eleazar
Alex Eala is on a roll. After a breakout run in Miami in March, where she beat three(!) Grand Slam champions on the way to the semi-finals, the 20-year-old tennis player made it to her first career final on grass at Eastbourne last June 28. This week, she makes history as the first Filipina to play in the main draw of Wimbledon. But it’s not going to be a walk in the park for Eala as she faces the defending champion, Barbora Krejcikova, in the first round on July 1.
Eala lost to 19-year-old Australian player Maya Joint in a three-set thriller at the Eastbourne Open finals. The world no. 56 had four chances to clinch the championship during the tie-break that went on for 22 points, but after a series of painful errors, it was Joint who ran away with the trophy, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(10). A tearful Eala faced the crowd during her finalist speech, where she promised to work harder as Wimbledon approaches. “Hopefully, I forget about this match soon.
Grass is Greener
Alex Eala Stages Grass Comeback in Wimbledon Debut vs. Defending Champion
As the 20-year-old Eastbourne finalist faces two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round of Wimbledon, Filipino tennis players and coaches weigh in on her chances
By Christian San Jose
22 hours ago
FacebookTwitterEmailCopy Link
Alex Eala Wimbledon
Alex Eala continues to make history fresh off her first career finals. Now, as the first Filipina to play at Wimbledon, she faces a tall order versus the defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. Art by Bea Eleazar
Alex Eala is on a roll. After a breakout run in Miami in March, where she beat three(!) Grand Slam champions on the way to the semi-finals, the 20-year-old tennis player made it to her first career final on grass at Eastbourne last June 28. This week, she makes history as the first Filipina to play in the main draw of Wimbledon. But it’s not going to be a walk in the park for Eala as she faces the defending champion, Barbora Krejcikova, in the first round on July 1.
Eala lost to 19-year-old Australian player Maya Joint in a three-set thriller at the Eastbourne Open finals. The world no. 56 had four chances to clinch the championship during the tie-break that went on for 22 points, but after a series of painful errors, it was Joint who ran away with the trophy, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(10). A tearful Eala faced the crowd during her finalist speech, where she promised to work harder as Wimbledon approaches. “Hopefully, I forget about this match soon.”
alex eala miami open 2025
Eala made headlines at Miami Open in March after beating three Grand Slam champions on her way to the semi-finals. Photo from Alex Eala/Facebook
Wimbledon will be Eala’s second career Grand Slam appearance after debuting in Roland Garros in May, where she lost to Emiliana Arango in the first round.
Her first-round bout with Krejcikova will be the first time the two will face each other. They could have gone head-to-head in the semis of Eastbourne had the world no. 18 not withdrawn from her match with Varvara Gracheva.
Can Eala Beat Krejcikova?
Beating the 29-year-old Czech will be a tall order for Eala. The former has a win-loss record of 395/228 in her singles career and holds eight singles titles, including two Grand Slam titles (2021 French Open and 2024 Wimbledon). The Filipino tennis star, meanwhile, has a 180/107 win-loss record and has yet to win a career title since going pro.
But with Krejcikova returning to Wimbledon, coming from a thigh injury, could this turn things around for Eala? In a pre-tournament interview at the All England Club, Krejcikova said she had to take some days off from playing tennis after withdrawing from Eastbourne. “I did some off-court stuff, and I have been feeling a little better every day. I hope that by Tuesday, everything’s going to be fine,” the Czech said pertaining to her matchup with Eala on July 1.
