Alex Eala accomplished something that few Filipino athletes have ever accomplished. She made the Philippines, whose sports attention had long focused on basketball, stay up past midnight just to watch tennis.
Although her matches were rarely aired in prime time, Filipinos sacrificed sleep to stay glued to their screens to witness history unfold.
Twenty years ago, Manny Pacquiao inspired the same level of dedication. His fights in the United States stopped the Filipino, whether they took place Sunday morning in Manila or Saturday night in Las Vegas, where he fought many of his biggest fights.
Pacquiao’s training camp dominated the headlines and his fights became must-see television. He was greeted like a rock star every time he returned to his country.
Like Pacquiao before him, Ila is now more than just an athlete. She has become a spectacle.
”there are a lot of you (I didn’t expect there to be so many people),” Ira said with a smile while taking the stage at the homecoming event held at Glorietta Mall in Makati on Wednesday.
She was greeted by a packed activity center filled with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the 21-year-old tennis sensation whose historic Wimbledon performance captivated audiences around the world.
Some people brought tennis balls, caps and portraits of Ila in hopes of getting an autograph from the Filipino star.
This appearance capped off a whirlwind return trip.
The day before, Ila attended an event sponsored by one of her long-time corporate sponsors, where she met executives and employees eager to celebrate her accomplishment. The night before, she received the Presidential Citation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.
She also attended a fan event in Taguig where supporters and celebrities gathered to welcome her back.
“I truly felt everyone’s love and support at each game, so it’s great to be home again,” said Eala.
Iara is coming off a breakthrough Wimbledon season in which she became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament.
Her rapid progress was highlighted by a stunning comeback over then-world No. 3 and defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets, but in a fierce battle in the round of 16, she succumbed to Jasmine Paolini 4-6, 6-4, 3-6.
The game was televised at viewing parties across the country, many of which took place past midnight, after public transport had already been shut down.
Asked about the most memorable moments of his career so far, Ira said, “My run at Wimbledon was at the top of my list.”
Eala’s rise was built on breakthrough victories. She has an overall record of 7-4 against WTA top 10 opponents, with wins over Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina.
“I think there’s a level of concentration that I have to reach and I know that if I don’t reach that my chances will fall,” she said during Tuesday’s appearance.
“So I think I want to take the opportunity that’s given to me.
“I’d like to think that was intentional as well. It’s also because of the preparation I put in in the weeks leading up to the game and right before the game. So, yeah, I think it’s just a mental thing.”
More than just a win, Aira gave Filipinos a glimpse of the mindset it takes to compete at the highest level in a sport that has long been an afterthought in the country’s sporting world.
“[Courage]is what shows up after a bad loss, or what shows up after a long day, or what happens when something goes wrong in another aspect of your life,” she said.
“So for me, courage looks like showing up when you need it.”
That mentality has made Aira one of the great Philippine sporting icons, along with boxing’s Pacquiao, billiards’ Efren “Bata” Reyes, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter E. J. Obiena and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
Like previous champions, Ila said the Philippine flag remains at the center of everything she does.
”I’m very proud to be Filipino (I am very proud to be Filipino),” she said.
“I carry this flag with me wherever I go.”
