MANILA – As she continues to make history on the tennis court, Alex Eala has also been immortalized on the iconic Tenement Basketball Court in Taguig City.
Photographer and visual artist Mike Swift shared videos of the court's makeover featuring the Filipina tennis ace on social media.
Visuals of the mural came a day after Eala reached a new career-high ranking, rising to No. 18 in the WTA standings.
READ: Alex Eala reaches new career-high WTA ranking ahead of US Open
The Tenement Court is best known for featuring basketball legends like the late Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson, who both personally visited the court.
Adrian Piñon, one of the artists and residents of the area, said they chose to pay tribute to the rising star who has put the Philippines on the map of world tennis.
"Naging inspirasyon namin si Alex Eala na kahit ang ginagawa namin dito ay mga basketball player, isa si Alex Eala sa nakikita namin na first Filipino na umaangat sa larangan ng tennis," he told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday.
The mural of Eala is an ode to the historic moment when she won her first WTA title at the Mubadala DC Open after beating World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final.
The 21-year-old is the first Filipino player to win a WTA championship.
"Yun yung nakita naming specific photo niya kasi nakikita yung pagiging matapang niya sa paglaro ng tennis. Yun yung parang winning shot kumabaga," Piñon said.
The visual artist said it took them less than a week to complete the mural of Eala.
"Yung process ng mural, four to five days namin ginawa. Kumbaga para mahabol sa laro niya [Alex] ngayong August 30. Para inano namin sa kanya, regalo namin sa kanya," Piñon shared.
"Kung makakakita ngayon nila [mga bata] si Alex bilang isang Filipino tennis player, siguro maraming ma-iinspire na bata dahil sa mural na ginawa namin," he added.
As photos and videos of the mural make the rounds on social media, the artists hope Eala continues to inspire others and wish her more success in her career.
"Sana magtuloy-tuloy yung pag panalo niya sa tennis. Baka pwede niya kami dalawin dito at makita niya yung mural na ginawa namin para sa kanya," Piñon said.