Philippines' Alexandra Eala celebrates winning the first set against Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. Henry Nicholls, AFP
MANILA — Alex Eala may not have the biggest serve on the tour, but Filipino fans have found a way to turn one of her more unconventional weapons into an internet favorite.
Enter: "Fookelya serve."
Coined by Filipino fans online, the slang describes Eala's serve when it looks slower than usual but somehow continues to get the job done.
The term has become a playful meme among Pinoy tennis fans, particularly when Eala sends over one of her deceptively soft serves that frustrates her opponents into a poor return.
But behind the joke is a serving strategy built on variation rather than sheer power.
READ: Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick chimes in why Alex Eala can 'get away' with her slow serve
Eala frequently changes the pace and placement of her first and second serves, with her wide serve from the left side proving especially tricky for the right-handed opponents she has faced recently.
The variation can disrupt an opponent's rhythm, particularly against players unfamiliar with Eala's tempo.
At Wimbledon, Eala's first serve averaged 86.3 mph (138.9 kph), well below the typical 100-105 mph (160.9-169.0 kph) range for first serves. Her second serve averaged 75.8 mph (122.0 kph), also below the usual 85-90 mph (136.8-144.8 kph) range.
Still, the slower numbers do not tell the entire story.
Eala has leaned on placement, spin, variation and timing to make up for the lack of outright pace. It is a smart use of experience rather than an attempt to hide a weakness.
For Filipino fans, however, the unconventional pace has become part of the fun.
While Filipinos immediately understand the joke behind "Fookelya," international tennis followers may be left wondering what the term means, and that confusion has only helped fuel the meme.
It is another example of Pinoy sports fans creating their own language around a favorite athlete, much like basketball fans have done with terms such as "Pinoy Step."
The serve may look slow. The joke, however, is serving just fine.
The rank no. 20 Eala now sets her sights on the US Open, where she will look to make another deep run on the Grand Slam stage before turning her attention to the Asian swing.