Wimbledon: After beating Alex Eala, what Barbora Krejcikova said

Alex Eala’s much-anticipated Wimbledon debut ended in a hard-fought defeat to defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, but the 20-year-old Filipina left a strong impression on Centre Court.

Alex didn’t just show up at Wimbledon — she made a statement.

The only Filipina to play in the main draw of this historic event, it also signalled her arrival on tennis’s biggest stage.

Eala, ranked No. 56 in the world (WTA), started her first-round match with confidence and flair. 

After conceding an early break in the first set, she stormed back with four consecutive games, highlighted by two breaks of serve, to take a commanding 5-2 lead over Barbie K. 

Eala held her nerve to close out the set 6-3, stunning the Wimbledon crowd and putting Krejcikova, world No. 16 and 2024 Wimbledon champion, on the back foot.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. 

Krejcikova rediscovered her championship form, racing to a 5-0 lead as her groundstrokes and first serve clicked into gear. 

Eala managed a late break to get on the board, but Krejcikova quickly responded to take the set 6-2 and level the match.

In the deciding set, fatigue and errors began to creep into Eala’s game. 

Krejcikova broke early and dominated the remainder of the set, ultimately sealing a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory in just over two hours. 

Despite the loss, Eala’s fearless first-set performance drew praise from commentators and fans, showcasing her ability to compete with the sport’s elite.

Eala’s quest for a Grand Slam main draw win will continue, but her rapid rise — including a historic WTA final run at Eastbourne and a jump to a career-high ranking — cements her status as one of the most exciting young talents in tennis.

As she said before the match, “It’s such a privilege to be on that court… I’m living the dream”.