Why the Sampaguita Has Become Alex Eala's Signature Symbol

There is no denying that Filipinos love to wear their pride and culture on their sleeves. Tennis prodigy Alex Eala is a fitting example, having incorporated a distinctly Filipino symbol into some of her looks: the sampaguita.

Scientifically known as Jasminum sambac, the sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines. It blooms year-round and grows relatively quickly with proper care. Often woven into garlands, it is traditionally used as a symbol of honor, devotion, and celebration. For Alex Eala, the flower serves as a reminder of her Filipino heritage.

In June 2025, Alex Eala took to Instagram to share a gift she received from Nike ahead of her first Wimbledon match: a custom-made sampaguita hair tie. “The sampaguita—the flower of my country. A reminder of where I come from—and everything that brought me here,” she wrote.

Accompanying the gift was a handwritten note from Nike to the Filipina athlete, quoting the Filipino proverb, “Kung may tinanim, may aanihin” (“What you plant, you will one day reap”). The message served as a tribute to the years of discipline and hard work Alex had already invested—and a reminder that those efforts would eventually bear fruit.

Later that month, Nike Philippines transformed the idea into a limited-edition T-shirt titled Full in Bloom, designed by Filipino artist Georgina Camus. Featuring the sampaguita set against the iconic grass courts of Wimbledon, the commemorative release celebrated Alex's tournament debut while cementing the Philippines' national flower as a recurring emblem of her journey.

A year later, Nike continued the tradition with another custom gift for Alex Eala. During Wimbledon, she wore a personalized visor embroidered with the message, “Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto” (“Once it grows, it cannot be stopped”).

Following the sampaguita hair tie, the visor marks the next chapter in Alex Eala's journey. Like the sampaguita itself, it embodies steady growth, resilience, and the confidence to keep moving forward. The dream that was once planted has begun to bear fruit. Years of discipline have culminated in history-making performances, yet every match—regardless of the outcome—marks the beginning of the next.