How to Achieve Alex Eala's Signature Wimbledon Hairstyle
The 21-year-old Filipina made tennis history while sporting a cute hairstyle!
by Kyla Villena
Published on Jul 8, 2026
Alex Eala has wrapped her historic run at this year’s Wimbledon, where she became the first Filipina to set foot on the iconic Centre Court. Not to mention, she defeated the tournament’s defending champion, Iga Swiatek, to get there.
In such a high-pressure environment, with the entire tennis world watching, one cannot afford to be distracted by anything—not even loose strands of hair caught in the wind. Fortunately, the rising athlete knew exactly which hairstyle to wear: one that was equal parts functional and stylish. Throughout her matches, Alex wore her hair in a bubble ponytail—a look that's surprisingly easy to recreate yourself.
What's a Bubble Ponytail?
The ponytail is one of the first hairstyles many of us learn to master, making the bubble ponytail an easy style to recreate. The look starts with a classic ponytail, with the length divided into evenly spaced sections to create its signature rounded "bubbles." Functional without sacrificing style, it pairs just as seamlessly with an all-white tennis kit as it does with your everyday wardrobe.
How to Achieve the Bubble Ponytail
1. Tie your hair into a ponytail.
Gather your hair into a mid or high ponytail, depending on your preference. Whether you opt for a slightly tousled look or a sleek finish, make sure to secure it tightly with a hair elastic.
2. Create the bubbles.
The number of bubbles you can create will depend on the length of your hair. If you’re like Alex with long tresses, you can place another elastic about two inches down your ponytail. Upon tying it, gently tug at the sides of the new section to add volume and shape it into a round. Repeat this process downwards until you reach the end of your ponytail’s body.
3. Secure your hairstyle.
After creating your bubbles, ensure that your hairstyle is neat and even. It would be the best time to add bobby pins or clips where needed, or go for a round of hairspray for good measure.
The bubble ponytail isn't just for the tennis court. While you can pair it with a visor à la Alex, it's just as easy to adapt the look to your own style. Swap the visor for a headband, experiment with colorful elastics for a playful Y2K-inspired twist, or, if you have shorter hair, create bubble pigtails or a half-up version instead. However you wear it, make the look your own.
Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.