Alex Eala recalls graduation day with Iga Swiatek following landmark Wimbledon win

Alexandra "Alex" Eala recalled a memorable moment she shared with Iga Swiatek during their graduation ceremony at the Rafa Nadal Academy three years ago.

In an interview with the BBC, Eala said she was thrilled to meet the Polish tennis star at the time.

"It's insane to think how much has changed in the past three years," Eala said after pulling off a major upset over Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2.

"I do remember I was so excited to see her because every year, for graduation at the Academy, they would invite a guest sports star or athlete. That year, we got Iga, and I was so excited."

"She threw her hat with us, and she sat next to me. I was so excited because I was like, 'I'm in the picture. We're together,'" Eala added, recalling how Swiatek remembered her as well.

Since then, Eala and Swiatek have squared off thrice, with the Filipino emerging ahead in the faceoff, 2-1.

Eala first stunned Swiatek at the 2025 Miami Open with a 6-2, 7-5 victory before the former world No. 1 responded with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win in Madrid last year.

READ MORE | Alex Eala vs. Iga Swiatek: A recap of their previous matches

On Saturday, Eala defeated Swiatek once again, earning one of the biggest victories of her career.

—JKC, GMA News