Eala returns home to hero’s welcome

BACK IN HOME COURT Alex Eala is mobbed by fans, many of them as young as she was when she started training in tennis, upon her homecoming on Sunday. Eala, 21, won eight matches at this year’s Wimbledon, a historic run for the Philippines that drew acclaim among tennis fans worldwide. —PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT STAFF

Alex Eala returned home on Sunday for a short vacation in Manila before her US Open swing.

The 21-year-old arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to a hero’s welcome following her historic run at Wimbledon in London, where she became the first Filipino to make the round of 16 in a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Eala will hold a fan meet on Wednesday at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

She had her best campaign in a major yet before yielding to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in three sets in the last 16.

In her sixth Grand Slam main draw appearance, Eala unseated defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland in the third round.

LEFTIE PRO Eala autographs tennis balls presented by young fans who welcomed her on Sunday. —PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT STAFF

Next matches

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate will compete in the Mubadala DC Open—a WTA 500 tournament—slated from July 27 to Aug. 2 in Washington to kick off her hardcourt swing.

Eala then heads to Toronto for the Canadian Open from Aug. 1 to 13. Before the US Open, Eala is expected to grace the Stars of the Open—a US Open fan week.

She will compete in her second US Open main draw appearance, a year after she earned her first Grand Slam win as a pro.