Tennis darling is back home

MANILA, Philippines — And the Filipina tennis star is back home.

Following her breakout campaign on the grass courts of Wimbledon, Alex Eala returned to the Philippines yesterday to a hero’s welcome.

“Is this really all for me?” beamed Eala upon arriving to a packed crowd at NAIA Terminal 3.

Eala came from Europe, where she enjoyed a short vacation that included meeting Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny at his Stockholm concert. She flew to Manila via Bangkok on board Thai Airways after a stellar Round of 16 run at Wimbledon earlier this week. She’s set for a short stay to meet fans before flying to the United States for the hardcourt swing.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, and Philippine Tennis Association secretary-general John Rey Tiangco, who is also mayor of Navotas, led the welcoming delegation.

Banda Kawayan Pilipinas treated Eala to a special performance with tribal instruments in honor of her milestones for Philippine sports.

Eala is in town to hold three fan meet events hosted by her sponsors this week in celebration of her achievements. She will kick off a short tour with Nike today, before BPI and Globe host their own homecoming events over the next two days.