Alex Eala is making her mark in tennis, but the Filipina star is also catching the attention of the fashion world with none other than Anna Wintour taking notice.

While attending the US Open, Wintour spoke about the growing relationship between tennis and fashion, pointing to athletes such as Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka who have embraced fashion as part of their identities. She then singled out Eala as part of a younger generation of athletes showing a growing interest in the industry. 

“We had the young Filipino star,” Wintour said of Eala. “You could see even in a young star how interested she is in fashion and how she wants to learn about and follow it.” 

For Wintour, Eala’s interest reflects a larger shift in sports, where athletes are no longer defined solely by what they do during competition. As she put it, “sports and fashion have become a wonderful sort of marriage.” 

Eala has previously described her own on-court style as “quite girly” but also confident and a little edgy. Her tennis outfits have increasingly become another way for her to express herself while competing at the highest level. 

Her looks have also incorporated Filipino elements. At Wimbledon, for example, Eala wore a Nike design featuring a Tagalog phrase inspired by the sampaguita, explaining that carrying elements of her culture onto the court is sentimental because it represents an important part of who she is. 

The fashion choices are not simply about aesthetics for Eala. She has previously shared that dressing well can give her an extra boost of confidence, particularly on days when she needs additional motivation. In her own words, “look good, feel good.” 

Away from the tennis court, Eala’s fashion choices show a more relaxed side. She has described her personal style as centered around comfort, while still wanting her outfits to feel stylish. She has also been increasingly exploring fashion as she attends more events and develops her own sense of style. 

Eala has worn pieces from Filipino designers, including designs by her uncle Rhett Eala, while using fashion moments to highlight her heritage. She has also spoken about wanting to work with more Filipino designers in the future. 

From tennis whites to red-carpet looks, Eala appears to be finding a balance between athletic functionality, personal expression, and Filipino identity.

Eala may still be building her legacy on the tennis court, but her growing confidence in fashion suggests that her influence could extend beyond the baseline. As sports and fashion continue to overlap, the young Filipina star is already showing that an athlete can compete fiercely while also having a distinct point of view when it comes to style.

PHOTOS: PILIPINASSPORTBAR (via Facebook), NIKE (via Facebook), ALEXEALA (via Instagram)