FULFILLING the dream of the little girl from the Philippines with "ruffled socks and chubby cheeks" Alex Eala proved she belongs on the biggest stage, dethroning defending champion Iga Swiatek on Centre Court at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.
For a brief moment, the 21-year-old let herself think about the little girl she used to be.
The one who rushed to the court after school with her older brother and grandfather, wearing ruffled socks, light-up shoes and carrying the chubby cheeks she now jokes about. The one who could only dream of playing on Centre Court one day.
READ: Eala's magical Wimbledon run rolls on after ousting defending champ Swiatek
"For someone like Iga, Serena and Venus, who've won so many Slams, this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines... to her, this is everything," Eala said after the match.
Yet almost as quickly as she grew emotional, she caught herself.
"Just because I'm emotional doesn't mean I'm satisfied," she said with a smile. "So next round, let's go."
Eala will meet No. 15 Jasmine Paolini in the fourth round hoping to repeat her February feat against the Italian.
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