Smash hit: How Alex Eala's Wimbledon run made everyday Filipinos fall in love with tennis

What the report says

BBC World News reports that Alex Eala’s breakthrough at Wimbledon has helped fuel a surge of interest in tennis in the Philippines, a country where basketball, boxing and beauty pageants have traditionally dominated public attention. Eala, 21, became the first Filipina to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam, according to the BBC, and her run was widely followed in the Philippines through streaming and social media.

The story follows 14-year-old Maristella Torrecampo, who travelled 13 hours by bus with her father from a hillside town to compete in Manila. With a small crowdfunded budget, she won her match at Rizal Stadium and said Eala has inspired her ambitions to compete internationally. Eala’s return from London included a reception hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos at Malacañang Palace, underscoring how quickly she has become a national sports figure.

The BBC also highlights the barriers that make tennis difficult for many Filipinos. Courts are often located in wealthier areas, equipment is costly, and Manila court rentals can be expensive relative to local wages. Coach Jovy Barce described entering the sport as a child ball boy before building a coaching career despite limited resources. Eala herself has faced criticism over her privileged background, including training at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, though she has emphasized the work behind her results.

Fan events, new hobby players and rising demand for courts and gear suggest Eala’s success is broadening tennis’ appeal. But the report notes that space constraints in densely populated Metro Manila and the sport’s costs remain major obstacles to wider access.