MANILA, Philippines — Years after Alex Eala once asked tennis icon Maria Sharapova for a photo, the former world No. 1 is now among those celebrating the Filipina’s rise on the sport’s biggest stage.
Eala etched her name in history after stunning defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Świątek in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2, to reach the Round of 16 of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, was quick to acknowledge the breakthrough, leaving a simple but powerful reaction in the comments of Wimbledon’s post celebrating Eala’s victory.
“A star,” Sharapova wrote.
The brief message underscored the remarkable journey of the 21-year-old Filipina, who has gone from admiring tennis legends to earning recognition from them after one of the biggest wins of her career.