Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts as she plays against Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova during their women’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala relished her Centre Court debut in Wimbledon despite falling to defending champion Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic in the women’s singles first round on Tuesday.
Eala may have missed the chance to follow up her strong first-set win in the 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 loss to Krejcikova, but she’s more than grateful to have been able to represent the Philippines in one of the biggest tennis competitions in the world
HIGHLIGHTS: Alex Eala vs Barbora Krejcikova – Wimbledon first round
“Realized something funny yesterday – when you’re living your dream, it doesn’t feel real,” said Eala on Instagram.
“Yesterday, I was living my dream. Couldn’t have asked for a better debut. That match was special in more ways than one — to be able to fulfill a childhood dream and be part of something bigger than myself, history for my country.”
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns to Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic during their first round women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The 20-year-old Filipino was honored to compete against Krejcikova, who returned from a five-month hiatus after recovering from a shoulder injury and had to withdraw in the Eastbourne Open due to thigh issues.
READ: Alex Eala impresses Barbora Krejcikova in tough Wimbledon duel
The World No.16 player from the Czech Republic was all praise for Eala after a hard-fought first-round duel.
“ I would like to start by giving the credits to Alex. I mean, what the hell she played in the first set. She was smashing the ball and she was cleaning the lines and all that, so, wow,” said Krejcikova after the win.
“It’s a next generation coming. She’s going to come up and she’s going to be really good in a couple of years. So, first of all, big credit, big credit to her.”
Eala, who finished as a runner-up in the Eastbourne Open on Saturday, looks forward to the Wimbledon doubles with German partner Eva Lys.
Eala and Lys battle Ingrid Martins and Quinn Gleason in the first round on Thursday evening.
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They were supposed to take on Olga Danilovic and Anastasia Potapova, but the match was canceled.
