When Alex Eala made her Indian Wells debut in March, she didn’t come alone. 

With a sparkling personality and game to match, she drew a strong and passionate fanbase from Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, home to one of the world's largest Filipino communities outside the Philippines. 

After her defeat of defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday - and her emotional post-match interview on Centre Court - the 21-year-old’s growing fanbase has now gone global.

With her voice breaking as she attempted to hold back tears, her delight in reaching the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time resonated with athletes around the world - especially little girls - who dare to dream big.

“Maybe for [some], this achievement may seem small. But for someone who grew up in the Philippines… who went to train with my brother and grandfather every day with my ruffled socks and light-up shoes and chubby cheeks… for her, this is everything,” Eala said.

“It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on, and knowing that we’re all in this together. This goes out to them, to my family – and to all the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world.”

Eala shared a similarly uplifting sentiment in March during her run to the fourth round in Tennis Paradise.

"The Filipinos have such a strong sense of community, and I feel when one of us is doing well or succeeding, we all have that shared sense of pride,” she said. “My friends tell me the courts at home are full because of what I’m doing on tour.”

Four months ago, as fans waited for an autograph near the players’ lawn, they spoke about how they come together as a group to watch her matches. They even make dinner plans around her start times.

"She's humble and she works hard,” one fan said. "She's the face of the Philippines.”

“Aside from her talent, she's also thinking of the future,” said another. 

When asked who was attending a tennis tournament for the first time, about one-third of the group raised a hand. Among that cohort was a casual tennis fan, who said that he only pays for a tennis streaming service when Eala is in action. ‘You only pay when she plays,” he said.

Eala’s stunning win Saturday was a full-circle moment for the left-hander. When she graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy three years ago, she was flanked by the 22-time Grand Slam champion and Swiatek as she received her diploma.

"Every year for graduation they would get a guest sports star,” Eala told the BBC. “That year we got Iga and I was so excited because [beforehand] I thought, 'Hopefully we get someone good. She threw her hat with us and sat next to me and I was so excited to be in the picture with her.”

On the court, Eala is a fierce, free-swinging competitor who dictates play with a lefty forehand that has emerged as one of the biggest weapons in the women’s game. That shot has helped her claim six Top 10 wins in her young career.

Her parents Mike and Rizza, a professional swimmer, raised her to believe she could achieve her dreams, but still remain humble, live her values and embrace a commitment to community. 

Those principles were evident in her thoughtful post-match interview after her victory over Swiatek, where Eala spoke with a wisdom - and perspective - far beyond her years. 

It also reflected the grace she displayed at Indian Wells after Coco Gauff retired injured during their third-round meeting, and the thoughtful remarks she delivered moments later on International Women's Day about the many role models who had "paved the way”.

It is that authenticity - more than her forehand or growing collection of Top 10 victories - that has made Eala one of the sport's most compelling new stars. 

"It's the honor of my life to be an inspiration to others,” she said. “Inspiration is such a beautiful thing. I try to be as authentic as I can. I believe in being genuine, I believe in my values,” she said in her Wimbledon presser.

"This platform that I have had really allowed me to self-reflect and to become the best version of myself, because I know a lot of people look up to me.

"But the main message here is that I don't want them to look at me and think 'I want to be the next Alex Eala', I want them to look at me and say 'I want to be the first me. And I want to make my own path."

On Monday Eala plays for a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals against former finalist Jasmine Paolini, of Italy.