Alex Eala reflects on historic Wimbledon Centre Court win: 'It feeds the dream'

The Wimbledon Centre Court has witnessed some of the most iconic moments in tennis history, and on Saturday, Alexandra Eala added her own chapter to it.

The Filipina ace pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career, upsetting defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, in the third round of Wimbledon.

“I think at the end of the match, my legs just kind of buckled. They weren't working anymore. And yeah, it was an overwhelming wave of emotions, I guess,” Eala said in an interview with the Tennis Channel.

Saturday's triumph was a stark contrast to her experience on Centre Court last year, when she faced then-defending champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round.

Eala claimed the opening set, 6-3, but Krejcikova rallied to win the match, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

This time, however, it was the Filipina who emerged victorious against the defending champion.

“It was a very different experience for me from last year. Because I think last year, before the match, I was really emotional because I was like, wow, the impact of this court,” Eala said.

“I think before the match today, I think I was able to put myself in a mindset where it's still important. It's still a big match for me. But at the same time, it's like every other match, you know? So I think I had a good balance,” she added.

With the victory, Eala has come full circle, realizing one of the dreams she had when she was a child.

“I think it's just because this court has been the one that I've seen so many times and you're at the baseline before serving, and you can imagine all the scenes of everybody winning their Wimbledons there. Yeah, it feeds the dream,” she added.

Eala will next face Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16.

—JKC, GMA News