WIMBLEDON’S reigning champion, Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejčíková, admits she isn’t too familiar with Filipina rising star Alex Eala but still expects a solid showing from the young challenger.
Even with the attention Eala drew at the 2025 Miami Open and the recently concluded Lexus Eastbourne Open, she doesn’t yet appear to pose a significant threat to Krejčíková’s title defense.
Currently ranked No. 17 in the WTA, Krejčíková is hoping to regain the form that led to her breakthrough Wimbledon triumph, where she claimed her first singles title on grass.
A Moment to Make a Statement
The 29-year-old Czech enters her opening match against Eala today after recently recovering from a thigh injury that forced her to withdraw during the Eastbourne Open quarterfinals.
“I had to have a couple of days off where I didn’t really play any tennis, but I did some off-court stuff. I’ve been feeling every day a little bit better,” she said. “I hope I’m going to have a nice match and a great tournament.”
Standing in her path is Eala, who has been steadily rising. The Filipina reached the finals of the Eastbourne Open, narrowly falling short in a hard-fought match against Australia’s Maya Joint.
“Well, to be honest, I don’t really know that much about her yet. She’s obviously a young player,” Krejčíková said of Eala. “But I saw some matches and I know she was doing quite well in the first half of the year.”
“I think it’s going to be a great matchup and I’m looking forward to playing against her and to see where the young generation is,” she went on to say.
Formidable Task
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Eala is eager to move on from her tough loss in the Eastbourne Open Final over the weekend and is equally thrilled to be part of Wimbledon’s main draw.
“Super excited! I’m always in awe when I come here,” Eala told the media of her arrival for Wimbledon. “It’s my first time in the main draw, so I’m exploring the grounds and getting a feel for the place. It’s amazing.”
Aware that she’s up against a major challenge in the first round versus Krejčíková, Eala shows no signs of nerves, embracing both the opportunity and the test of facing a top contender on such a prestigious stage.
“I’m going up against the defending champion—excited to see how that turns out. I haven’t thought about strategy yet. I just finished the Eastbourne tournament, so I’m turning a new page. What’s important is how I’m going to perform,” a calm and composed Eala said.
“It’s a privilege to play on Centre Court. That is the court to be on. Wimbledon is my favorite slam. When I had big dreams as a young girl, they were always on that court. So I’m living the dream,” she added.
Eala has climbed to a new career-high of World No. 56 in the WTA rankings, leaping 18 spots from her previous best of No. 74.
In last year’s Wimbledon, she made it to the third round of qualifiers before falling to Lulu Sun, who later reached the quarterfinals. Now hitting another milestone, Eala is set to step onto Centre Court, hoping to deliver another surprise.
