Alexandra “Alex” Eala may have exited early in her Wimbledon main draw debut, but the 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation still made a powerful statement on the sport’s grandest stage — and walked away with over P6 million to show for it.
Facing reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic on Centre Court, Eala delivered a bold opening set, taking it 6-3 before ultimately falling in a 2-hour and 10-minute battle, 6-3, 2-6, 1-6. Though her run in the singles bracket was cut short, Eala earned widespread praise from fans, pundits, and even Krejcikova herself for her poise, grit, and fearless shot-making.
That performance, brief as it was, netted her £66,000 or approximately P5.07 million — a reward not just for qualifying, but for standing toe-to-toe with one of the world’s best on her first appearance in the main draw of the prestigious Grand Slam event.
In doubles, Eala partnered with Germany’s Eva Lys but suffered another first-round exit, losing 4-6, 3-6 to the tandem of Brazil’s Ingrid Martins and America’s Quinn Gleason. Still, the duo shared £16,500, or around P1.27 million.
With her grass season now behind her, Eala shifts her focus to the hard courts as she sets her sights on the US Open later this August. First on her calendar is the National Bank Open in Canada, a WTA-1000 level event happening from July 26 to August 7, where she is confirmed to join the main draw.
The tournament field features a stacked lineup, including current top WTA players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Jasmine Paolini. Eala, now ranked No. 56 in the WTA, will once again look to prove that she belongs in elite company.
Coming off a career-best performance on grass, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, Eala has shown remarkable adaptability across different surfaces. Her next challenge on the hard court may just be the launching pad for an even deeper Grand Slam run in New York.
For now, she’s enjoying a short beach break before diving back into training — the calm before what promises to be another fierce storm on court.
