Alex Eala started the day by posting a quote printed specially for her by Nike on the back of her visor and on her sweatshirt.
It said: “Every dream begins with a seed Once it grows it cannot be stopped ‘Kapag lumago hindi na hihinto’.
The saying couldn’t have been more true in her second Round Match vs Maya Joint Thursday at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old could not be stopped.
Dropping the first set 3-6 and down 0-1, 15-30 she turned it around by hitting 2 aces back to back with speeds of 105, 107 mph. Eala shifted the momentum to her took the 2nd set 6-2 and did not give away a game in the 3rd set winning 6-0. Asked how the design and motivating quote came about, Eala said: "Actually surprise kasi ito sa akin. Ginawa nila ito, pinakita nila sa akin ito noong Monday or Sunday yata. Pero masaya ako at siyempre nagre-resonate talaga ako sa [quote] na iyon."
Eala was all smiles as she entered the media room all waiting to speak to her after the tremendous victory.
Asked what it meant to make history again becoming the first Filipino player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open Era, she replied: "It sounds super impactful when you say it like that. It's obviously an amazing thing for me to be able to do that for my country, but I guess it's also very emotional every time I'm able to pass a new step or break new ground, just because it's also personal goals and personal achievements," she said.
Years of dedication day in day out is reaping massive results like the win vs Joint.
"It's things that I've been working really hard for. It's things that my team has been working really hard for. I really appreciate that I'm able to share this with the nation, but I think first and foremost, it makes me super proud because of the work that I've put in,” she said.
Asked whether the weight of representing an entire nation ever makes it difficult to keep her personal goals as her first priority, Eala said the key is staying genuine.
"My personal goals have always been my priority. This is my journey, and I'm happy to be able to share it with everyone who wants to take part," she said. "I think one of the biggest things that makes it natural and easier to handle is that it's genuine. My whole story is very genuine. It's very close to my heart. I'm not trying to be anyone who I'm not. I'm not trying to stray from my values. I think that makes it easier for me to carry myself and handle these situations."
As in Round 1, Filipinos lined up again and packed Court 3. As a gesture of appreciation Eala went to both sides of the court to sign as as much as she could.
"Siyempre gusto ko rin magbigay sa kanila ng oras ko. Napakahirap makakuha ng ticket dito sa Wimbledon kaya tuwang-tuwa ako sa suporta. Nagpapasalamat ako," said the 29th seed.
In the third round, Eala will meet defending champion Iga Swiatek, a player she has faced on hard court and clay this year, but never on grass.
Eala beat her on hard in Miami in 2025 and was beaten on clay in Madrid that same year.
"I think it's going to be tough for me, and I'm going to try to make it tough for her as well," Eala said. "It's a different surface than we've played at before, so I think there should definitely be some different aspects to the last time. She's won a slam on grass, she's won a slam on clay, she's won a slam on hard. I'm expecting a great challenge, but I think I'm ready for it. I'm ready to face it head-on."
As for the leg bandages that caught the attention of many watching at home, Eala was quick to put concerns to rest.
"Okay naman. Okay ako. Wala namang injury, walang seryosong problema. More preventative lang 'yung bandage kanina. I guess I'm normal tired — but it's my job. So I'll be back."
On what she loves most about being a professional tennis player, Eala's answer was straightforward.
"I love competition. I love facing the pressure moments head-on. I love coming out of those moments stronger than I was when I entered it. And I love the lessons and the people I learn from being a professional," she said.