From a kid in light-up shoes to lighting up Wimbledon: Eala relishes 3rd-round win

MANILA, Philippines — Once a girl with chubby cheeks who started playing tennis in light-up shoes and ruffled socks, Alexandra "Alex" Eala is now lighting up the world stage. And for the Filipino tennis ace, her 7-6(9), 6-2 Wimbledon third-round win over defending champ Iga Świątek of Poland in London Saturday night (Manila time) meant the world to the little girl she once was. If anything, that little girl is still very much alive inside the now 21-year-old Eala, who made history as the first Filipino singles player in the Open Era to reach the grass court major fourth round (round of 16). Overwhelmed with emotion, Eala dropped her racquet after firing the clincher, lay on the court and covered her face with her palms. She got back up and walked towards the net for a clasp with Swiatek and with the umpire. Eala then walked around crying, raising her hands as she looked around the jampacked stands of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Center Court. "Yeah, I'm really emotional," said the teary-eyed Eala in the post-match interview. "Maybe for someone like Iga, who has won so many slams, or maybe someone like (the Williams sisters) Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines... "You know I went to train with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my ruffled socks and my light up shoes and chubby cheeks. So, to her, this is everything. Obviously, because I'm emotional, does not mean I'm satisfied. So, yeah, okay, next round, let's go." Behind every Eala's serve, forehand, backhand, and slice shots were the Filipino fans who filled the stands, making another de facto home match for the 5-foot-9 lefty. That is certainly not lost on world...