Alex Eala made the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time at Wimbledon. Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Follow The Athletic’s Wimbledon coverage Welcome to the Wimbledon briefing, where The Athletic will explain the ...

Literally, the dream continues for Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala. Young basketball players shout “Jordan!” “Kobe!” or even “Jalen Brunson!” when shooting hoops. Young football players fantasize about being Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in the grandest stage of them all while aiming penalty kicks.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday (early Sunday morning in Manila) congratulated Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala for dethroning defending