Smash hit: How Alex Eala's Wimbledon run made everyday Filipinos fall in love with tennis
I looked up to her since I was little," said Torrecampo, who has competed in the Philippine National Games, and in tournaments in Cambodia and Sri Lanka."I like her attitude off and on court. Every village has a basketball court and Filipinos are more likely to recognise LeBron James than Roger Federer.Filipinos' love for rags-to-riches underdog stories and big personalities have also made boxing and beauty pageants just as popular. Tennis courts are usually found in rich enclaves and equipment is expensive.Court rentals in Manila cost around 2,000 pesos ($32; £19) per hour, meaning half a day's play costs half the minimum wage.
- ▪I looked up to her since I was little," said Torrecampo, who has competed in the Philippine National Games, and in tournaments in Cambodia and Sri Lanka."I like her attitude off and on court.
- ▪Every village has a basketball court and Filipinos are more likely to recognise LeBron James than Roger Federer.Filipinos' love for rags-to-riches underdog stories and big personalities have also made boxing and beauty pageants just as popu
- ▪Tennis courts are usually found in rich enclaves and equipment is expensive.Court rentals in Manila cost around 2,000 pesos ($32; £19) per hour, meaning half a day's play costs half the minimum wage.
BBC News — World publishes from United Kingdom and files mainly under world. We currently carry 511 of its stories.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Smash hit: How Alex Eala's Wimbledon run made everyday Filipinos fall in love with tennisImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Alex Eala is the Philippines' newest sports starByVirma Simonette Rivera, BBC World Service, Reporting fromManila and Joel Guinto, BBC NewsPublished33 minutes agoChasing her dream of becoming a world tennis champion, teen athlete Maristella Torrecampo and her father took a gruelling 13-hour bus from her sleepy hillside hometown for her latest match in Manila.The 14-year-old's mum and four siblings could not join to watch her play; her crowdfunded budget was only enough for two round-trip bus tickets and a few days' worth of meals.Barely rested from the long journey, and with only her father cheering her on, Torrecampo crushed her Omani opponent in straight sets…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from BBC News
