A few days had passed and Alex Eala is still on cloud nine after getting a golden opportunity to play on Centre Court of the Wimbledon Championships.
The 20-year-old Eala admitted that she is still processing the turn of events in which she pushed reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic to the limit before surrendering a 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 decision before a star-studded crowd at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club late Tuesday (Manila time).
Aside from naturalized Filipino Jordan Clarkson, a galaxy of stars like Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, comedian Rebel Wilson, actor Jason Isaacs, fencer Miles Chamley-Watson and model Mia Regan were in the stands to witness the hard-hitting action.
Eala said her match against the Czech powerhouse was not an ordinary ballgame — it was a dream.
“Realized something funny yesterday — when you’re living your dream, it doesn’t feel real,” Eala said in a social media post.
“Yesterday, I was living my dream. Couldn’t have asked for a better debut. That match was special in more ways than one — to be able to fulfill a childhood dream and be part of something bigger than myself, history for my country.”
“Congrats to Barbora Krejcikova on a great match — it was an honor to share the court with you.”
During her Wimbledon debut, Eala even showcased her roots as she was spotted wearing a hair tie with a sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.
“The sampaguita, the flower of my country. A reminder of where I come from — and everything that brought me here,” said Eala, who is conniving with Eva Lys of Germany against Quinn Gleason of the United States and Ingrid Martins of Brazil in the women’s doubles event at press time.