After defeating Donna Vekić, Alex Eala said she embraced the Croatian’s challenge with a fighter’s mindset and was pleased with the intensity they showcased as she advances to the Round of 16 where she takes on World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open.
That was some of the best tennis I've seen from Alex Eala - 8 aces, 27 winners. Flat groundstrokes, fearless serving, unflinching even when she was down 0-40. Against a Donna Vekic fresh off a Queen’s Club title at that.
Even during changeovers, you can see the belief in her walk. And I think that's it, she played with the belief she can win. Was exhilarating to watch!
And that's what's lacking when she plays against top 20 players. She needs to believe she can beat them because she has.
Thierry Henry on Lionel Messi becoming the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick and the player with the most goals from outside the box in World Cup history:
🗣️ “I honestly don't know what more there is left to say about Lionel Messi anymore. Every time you think he has reached the top of the mountain, he somehow finds another peak that nobody else has ever climbed before.”
“The oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. Just stop and think about that for a second. At an age when most players are retired, coaching, or sitting in television studios, Messi is still breaking records on the biggest stage in football.”
“And it's not just the hat-trick that amazes me. He now has more World Cup goals from outside the box than anyone in history. That tells you everything about the level of technique, vision, and confidence we are talking about.”
“These are not lucky goals. These are moments of genius. The type of goals where everyone in the stadium knows what he wants to do, but nobody can stop him from doing it anyway.”
“What makes this even more incredible is that this is his sixth World Cup. Six World Cups. Different generations, different teammates, different opponents, yet the same outcome every single time Lionel Messi deciding matches.”
“People always ask what makes certain players special. Well, special players break records. Legends create records. Messi is doing both at the same time while carrying the expectations of an entire nation.”
“I've played against some of the greatest footballers in history, I've watched some of the greatest footballers in history, but what Messi continues to do at 38 years old simply doesn't make sense.”
“This is no longer about talent. This is no longer about numbers. This is football history unfolding right before our eyes, and every single match feels like another chapter in a story that nobody thought was possible.”
Salamat sa laban pero alam naman natin na ibang level yung og Alas girls. Sana maayos na ang kailangang ayusin at pabalikin ang dapat pabalikin. For the next gen Alas girls and for 🇵🇭 🏐
🇵🇭 Alas Pilipinas settles for 8th place in the AVC Women's Cup after falling to 🇮🇷 Iran in straight sets.
As a result of the defeat, the Philippines drops to No. 57 in the FIVB World Rankings.
#AlasPilipinas#AVCWomensCup#Volleyball
📸 AVC