Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Scenes at the Wimbledon Centre Court before Alex Eala's main draw debut match vs. defending champion Barbora Krejčíková on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

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Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751514174026515295452_1210254534483134_2308009237510897759_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scenes at the Wimbledon Centre Court before Alex Eala&#x27;s main draw debut match vs. defending champion Barbora Krejčíková on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. <em>Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>WIMBLEDON, London — For tennis players around the world, stepping onto Wimbledon’s Centre Court is more than just a career milestone  — it’s the realization of a life-long dream. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/7/1/-i-hope-you-re-ready-for-a-good-fight-alex-eala-on-wimbledon-dream-match-0848">&#x27;I hope you’re ready for a good fight&#x27;: Alex Eala on Wimbledon &#x27;dream match&#x27;</a></div><p>With 102 years of rich history, Centre Court remains unmatched in prestige, tradition, and atmosphere. </p><p>What makes it even more special? The court is used only once a year — during the Wimbledon Championships. Even members of the exclusive All England Lawn Tennis Club (which has just 500 members) do not play on Centre Court or Court No. 1. </p><p>These sacred grounds are meticulously preserved year-round for one purpose: Wimbledon glory.</p><iframe class="instagram-media" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm0qdBtzqr/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A8120154.199999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="0" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px;min-width:326px;padding:0px;position:absolute"></iframe><blockquote class=" instagram-media-registered" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm0qdBtzqr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" id="instagram-media-payload-0" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm0qdBtzqr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><br/></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLm0qdBtzqr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Alexandra Eala (@alex.eala)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>On Tuesday, Philippines’ rising star Alex Eala joined the elite group of players who have had the honor of playing on Centre Court. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Eala described the experience as “unreal” — a dream fulfilled under the watchful eyes of tennis tradition.</p><div><strong>OTHER PLAYERS</strong></div><p>University of San Diego player Oliver Tarvet had his own unforgettable journey. After a brilliant run through qualifying and a first-round win, he faced none other than Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court — a moment he called the “opportunity of a lifetime.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/7/2/tennis-alex-eala-gives-full-credit-to-krej-kov-after-amazing-wimbledon-debut-1549">Tennis: Alex Eala gives full credit to Krejčíková after &#x27;amazing&#x27; Wimbledon debut</a></div><p>“It was just really special,” said Tarvet. </p><p>“It’s not every day that you get to play against maybe the best player in the world. I tried to treat it like any other match — play the ball, not the occasion — but I woke up multiple times in the night from the adrenaline. Even in the car ride over, my heart rate was higher than usual.”</p><p>Whether a first-timer or a Grand Slam champion, the magic of Centre Court never fades. </p><p>World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off her win against Marie Bouzkova on Wednesday, shared the emotional impact of walking onto Centre Court.</p><p>“It’s the same beautiful as it’s always been. The moment they open the doors and you step onto the court… it’s just so beautiful, honestly. I try to focus on the match, but afterward, that memory of entering Centre Court stays with me. It’s amazing. It’s the dream of every player. If someone had told me when I was a kid that I’d be here now, I’d have said, ‘Yeah, right’ — but here I am.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/7/3/alex-eala-to-make-wimbledon-doubles-debut-with-germany-s-eva-lys-1104">Alex Eala to make Wimbledon Doubles debut with Germany’s Eva Lys</a></div><p>Even as one of the top-ranked players in the world, Sabalenka admits the occasion still brings unique pressure and emotions.</p><p>“We all feel the pressure. But I’m glad I don’t feel the same nerves I used to when I was 20. I can think clearly now, control my emotions better. That helps a lot.”</p><p>Despite winning back-to-back Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024, Alcaraz remains deeply moved every time he plays on Centre Court.</p><p>“It’s different. I’m just grateful for the support I receive here. The atmosphere is always amazing. The crowd is so respectful — to me, to my opponent, to the match. It’s a unique experience, and I’m glad to have it again.”</p><p>His approach is as mature as it is refreshing.</p><p>“For me, it’s not about winning or losing. I try to enjoy tennis, enjoy stepping onto the court, and live in the moment. Each match here is a gift. I play for myself, for my team, for my family. That mindset keeps me grounded and happy on court — and it works pretty well.”</p><div><strong>THE TAKEAWAY</strong></div><p>Wimbledon’s Centre Court is more than just a playing surface — it’s a theater of dreams, pressure, history, and emotion. </p><p>Whether you’re a young hopeful like Tarvet, a debutante like Eala, or a reigning champion like Alcaraz or Sabalenka, the feeling of walking through those doors never gets old.</p><p>It’s a place where tennis becomes something more — and those who rise to the occasion become part of something truly special.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTrdyQ99d0Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>This week, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala stepped onto its storied grass for the first time. She joins a select group of players, from rising hopefuls to world champions like Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, all moved by the rare and emotional experience of playing on tennis’ most iconic stage.</p>

This week, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala stepped onto its storied grass for the first time. She joins a select group of players, from rising hopefuls to world champions like Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, all moved by the rare and emotional experience of playing on tennis’ most iconic stage.

Wimbledon's Centre Court is where dreams and glory collide

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Wimbledon's Centre Court is where dreams and glory collide

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 03, 2025 12:32 PM PHT

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