Krejcikova finds joy at tennis ‘temple’ where Eala makes history
It’s rare for two players who face each other at Wimbledon’s center court end up enjoying their experience—especially since only one of them will continue their All-England Club journey.
But that’s exactly what happened after the disappointment of an early exit dissipated for Alex Eala, who realized the enormity of the moment she had just been a part of.
“Realized something funny yesterday—when you’re living your dream, it doesn’t feel real,” Eala wrote on Instagram. “Yesterday, I was living my dream. Couldn’t have asked for a better debut.”
Eala became the first Filipino in the Open era to see action at the All-England Club and even managed to win a set before fading in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat to defending women’s champion Barbora Krejcikova.
“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,” Eala added.
Krejcikova looked in deep trouble in her opening match before cutting out the errors and finding another gear to see off the Filipino ace and survive the rash of upsets that struck the early rounds of Wimbledon.
The Czech 17th seed next takes on US player Caroline Dolehide, whom she has faced just once, beating her on clay in the United States in 2019.
Krejcikova has had a miserable time with injuries this year and arrived at Wimbledon with just six matches under her belt in 2025.
But the two-time Grand Slam champion is relishing being back on the hallowed turf of the All-England Club, describing walking onto Centre Court for her first-round match as a “very beautiful and just very joyful experience”.
“It’s just great to be back,” she said. “It’s just great to be playing in the temple of tennis. It’s just a very, very special place.”
Jasmine Paolini was the latest victim of Wimbledon’s spate of giant-killings as last year’s runner-up suffered a shock second-round exit against Russian world No. 62 Kamilla Rakhimova on Wednesday.
Just 12 months after her run to the All England Club final, Paolini followed a host of highly-ranked seeds out of the grass-court Grand Slam.
The Italian fourth seed, beaten by Krejcikova in the 2024 Wimbledon title match, slumped to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss in two hours and 18 minutes on Court Three.
“It was a tough one. I’m still thinking about the second set. I could do much better. I had many, many chances, I did some stupid mistakes,” Paolini said.
“I need to stay there mentally much better. My attention was going up and down all the time. I don’t know why.”
After reaching the French Open and Wimbledon finals last year, Paolini has failed to make the quarterfinals in each of her last four Grand Slam appearances, although she won the Roland Garros doubles crown with partner Sara Errani in June.
“It’s tough to accept. I’m a little bit tired now. It was two intense months before coming here,” she said. —WITH REPORTS FROM INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF, AFP
