Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Alex Eala

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala further endeared herself to tennis fans when she took a trip down memory lane after her win over erstwhile champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon.  The 21-year-old dedicated the victory to her younger self with chubby cheeks, ruffled socks and light up shoes, training with her older brother Miko and grandfather Roberto &quot;Bob&quot; Maniego in Pasig City. Eala&#x27;s heartfelt answer and childhood photos later made the rounds on social media. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/4/alex-eala-dethrones-defending-champion-iga-swiatek-advances-to-wimbledon-fourth-round-2254">READ: Alex Eala dethrones defending champion Iga Swiatek, advances to Wimbledon fourth round</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/5/honored-to-inspire-eala-urges-next-generation-of-pinoy-athletes-to-be-the-first-you-1915">READ: Eala urges next generation of Pinoy athletes to &#x27;be the first you&#x27;</a></div>Eala, who returned to the Philippines on Sunday, said that the memory was a way to ground herself during the closing stretch of her two-set win over Swiatek.&quot;It was something that I envisioned in the last changeover. I think when you&#x27;re that close, you&#x27;re really trying to prevent yourself from it. It&#x27;s part of that mental aspect that I talked about earlier,&quot; Eala said during an exclusive media homecoming celebration at the BPI Wealth Lounge in Makati City on Tuesday. &quot;You&#x27;re really trying to prevent yourself from thinking of, &#x27;Oh, if I win, like that, like that,&#x27; so and so. To just think about, think in the moment, think about the next point,&quot; she shared. For Eala, the moment made her reflect on all the challenges and experiences that she had to go through to make it this far in her tennis journey. &quot;But in that last changeover, I don&#x27;t know, the image of myself exactly how I described it to be with my Lolo and my Kuya. So that popped into my head and it was just natural that, I don&#x27;t know. And it was a really sweet and really sentimental moment,&quot; she explained. Eala started playing tennis at the age of four being trained by her grandfather, alongside her older brother Miko, who also plays the sport. Seventeen years later, Eala is among the rising stars in the world tennis scene, making her family and the country proud with every match.  &quot;I think it&#x27;s a continuous process of learning things. Professional tennis, my journey in professional tennis has already been so long, but it&#x27;s only getting started,&quot; she said. After her historic Wimbledon run where she reached the fourth round, Eala said she&#x27;s more hungry and ambitious to achieve even greater heights. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/14/alex-eala-eyes-golden-glory-for-philippines-in-2026-asian-games-1748">READ: Alex Eala eyes golden glory for Philippines in 2026 Asian Games</a></div>&quot;I cannot speak for how people perceive me before or after my Wimbledon run, but I do know that I don&#x27;t see myself any different. I&#x27;ve experienced all the hard work that I&#x27;ve put in, I know who I am,&quot; she shared.  &quot;I think it&#x27;s very important when you&#x27;re in such vulnerable settings to know who you truly are, and I&#x27;m confident to say that I&#x27;m pretty sure I know who I am,&quot; Eala said.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala further endeared herself to tennis fans when she took a trip down memory lane after her win over erstwhile champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala further endeared herself to tennis fans when she took a trip down memory lane after her win over erstwhile champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon.

'Ruffled socks, chubby cheeks': Alex Eala explains trip down memory lane at Wimbledon

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

'Ruffled socks, chubby cheeks': Alex Eala explains trip down memory lane at Wimbledon

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2026 11:14 PM PHT

Read More:

Tennis

Alex Eala

BPI

Wimbledon

Iga Swiatek

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.