MANILA, Philippines — Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who helped pave the way for equality in women’s sports, has praised Filipina star Alex Eala following her historic run at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.
King met Eala after the 21-year-old stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6, 6-2, in the third round last Saturday (Manila time), becoming the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon.
“What a treat to spend some time with Alex Eala, fresh off her historic win at Wimbledon today. She is the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16. Such an inspiration for kids in the Philippines and all over the world,” King wrote in a social media post.
The 82-year-old Hall of Famer, whose landmark victory over Bobby Riggs in the iconic 1973 Battle of the Sexes became a defining moment for gender equality in sports, also offered words of encouragement to the rising Filipina.
With tennis still developing in the Philippines, King had a simple but powerful message for Eala:
“Keep going for it, Alex!”
