Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala during her “Play Mind Games” meet and greet at Nike Fort in Taguig, July 13, 2026. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — Alex Eala has continued to soar to greater heights, but the Filipina tennis sensation believes she's only getting started.
The 21-year-old ace is riding the momentum of her historic 2026 Wimbledon campaign, where she dethroned former champion Iga Swiatek en route to becoming the first athlete from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of the tournament.
While Eala acknowledged that the feat currently ranks at the top of her list, the World No. 28 believes the best is yet to come as she continues her pursuit of greatness.
“It’s a continuous process, my journey in professional tennis,” said Eala, who started her career at four years old. “It’s already been so long, but it’s only getting started.”
Eala, who captured her second WTA 125 singles title at the Birmingham Open last June, is still chasing her maiden major crown.
But while that goal continues to fuel her, Eala said pairing her ambition with patience has also been key to her steady rise.
“I don’t have a specific round where I say na, ‘Kailangan kong habulin ’to.’ The way that I approach tournaments is match by match, round by round,” she explained. “I hope to get as far as I can. The ultimate goal is to win, but I take things round by round.”
Not too high, not too low
Aside from her success on the court, Eala has continued to cement her superstar status, with "Eala-Mania" reaching new heights in the wake of her Wimbledon breakthrough.
From praise by her idol Maria Sharapova and tennis legend Billie Jean King, to recognition from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the rousing reception she received during a meet-and-greet in Makati, Eala's profile has only continued to grow.
READ: Eala embracing role in helping unite Filipinos amid social, political divisions
Yet the young star said she has learned to keep both the highs of victory and the lows of defeat in check as she continues to navigate her career.
“One thing that I’ve learned is how to control my emotions. It’s a way of handling myself better,” she said.
For Eala, that approach has become essential as she not only pursues personal success but also carries the pride of representing the Philippines on the global stage.
READ: Eala hopes for more accessible courts to further grow tennis in PH
“It’s how I could dictate my emotions rather than let my emotions dictate me,” she said.