Alex Eala’s historic Wimbledon run drew attention far beyond the tennis world, with Hollywood stars, global personalities, and tennis icons reacting to the Filipina’s breakthrough campaign at the All England Club.
Eala stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, in the third round before reaching the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first time in her career. Her run ended against Italian star Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, but not before the 21-year-old Filipina became one of Wimbledon’s most talked-about names.
Among those who took notice was British-American actor Andrew Garfield, who watched Eala’s match against Swiatek on Centre Court. In a British Vogue interview, Garfield described Eala’s breakthrough as “really kind of inspiring,” saying it was special to witness an athlete who was “just beginning on her journey.”
British actress Ambika Mod also rooted for Eala, calling her run “such an underdog story” and saying it was meaningful to see young women achieving their dreams.
Other international personalities were also seen at Centre Court during Eala’s Wimbledon moment. Reports said Tom Hiddleston and Garfield were shown cheering for the Filipina, while Anna Wintour, Simone Ashley, Michaela Coel, Emma Corrin, and Monica Barbaro were also spotted in the stands.
Tennis legends also acknowledged Eala’s feat. Venus Williams, who had teamed up with Eala in doubles before Wimbledon, congratulated her “other doubles partner” for “making history” after the Filipina advanced in the tournament.
Billie Jean King, one of the sport’s most influential figures, also spent time with Eala after her historic win, calling it a treat to meet the Filipina following her breakthrough at Wimbledon.
Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova also joined the wave of praise, with reports noting that she called Eala “a star” after the Filipina’s Wimbledon breakthrough.
Even Eala’s opponents recognized the quality of her game. Swiatek said Eala showed courage in the crucial moments of their match, particularly in the tiebreak, where the Filipina played aggressively under pressure.
Paolini, who eventually stopped Eala in the fourth round, also gave the Filipina a strong assessment, saying Eala’s game is well-suited for grass and describing her as a tough opponent with “a lot of personality” on court.
International media also took note of Eala’s growing appeal. The Guardian described her as a major fan favorite at Wimbledon and reported that highlights of her upset win over Swiatek drew massive online attention.
After making history, the Filiprima said she hoped her journey would inspire young girls not simply to become the next Alex Eala, but to become the first version of themselves.