Filipina tennis star Alex Eala made her Wimbledon debut wearing a bespoke Nike hair tie featuring the sampaguita, the Philippines' national flower. ARCHIVE

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala made her Wimbledon debut not just with her game but also with a powerful symbol of national pride—a custom Nike hair tie featuring the sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower. The 20-year-old athlete, now ranked World No. 56, has been making waves globally with her rapid rise and fearless performances against tennis giants like Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys. During her debut at Centre Court, where she faced defending champion Barbora Krejcikova in a thrilling 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 match, Eala wore the symbolic hair tie as part of her all-white Wimbledon kit. The sampaguita hair tie came in a woven gift box inscribed with the Filipino proverb: “Kung may tinanim, may aanihin” (What is sown will be reaped). “The sampaguita — the flower of my country. A reminder of where I come from – and everything that brought me here,” Eala wrote on Instagram. Nike commemorated her debut with the caption: "History in full bloom," showcasing the hair tie in a stylized photo. Fans have been raving about Eala's sampaguita hair tie, but Nike says the special accessory was a bespoke gift that is not commercially available. The Philippines’ national flower since 1934, the sampaguita represents simplicity, strength, and perseverance—qualities mirrored in Eala’s decade-long dedication to the sport. In March, the rising star stunned the tennis world by defeating three Grand Slam champions in one week during the Miami Open: Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. Ranked only No. 140 at the time, Eala’s victory marked her breakout moment. Eala has since emerged as the face of Philippine tennis, inspiring young Filipinos to pick up the racket. “It’s really such a sight for sore eyes, especially growing up when tennis wasn’t as popular as basketball or volleyball,” she said. “I like to think I’ve had some impact. The Miami win got more people to look into tennis and love the sport.” Still at the early stages of her career, Eala remains grounded, humble and focused on growth. “I love tennis. It’s a beautiful sport. And I know I have to keep working, because just as quickly as success comes, it can also disappear if I lose focus,” she said. ICA/Expat Media
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