ELON MUSK JUST GAVE HER A TESLA — The Reason? She Did What No American Woman Had Achieved in the Last 19 Years
On July 15, 2025, the sports and tech worlds collided in a heartwarming moment when Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, gifted a brand-new Tesla Model Y to Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala, celebrating her historic achievement at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Eala, a 20-year-old ranked No. 56 in the WTA, became the first Filipina to compete in Wimbledon’s singles main draw, a feat that drew global attention and inspired millions. Musk, known for his bold gestures, announced the gift via a post on X, stating, “Alex Eala’s grit on the court is what drives innovation. Congrats on breaking barriers—enjoy the ride!” The reason behind the gift? Eala’s performance echoed the spirit of American women’s tennis, achieving a milestone not seen since Serena Williams’ 2006 Wimbledon run, captivating Musk and fans alike with her trailblazing journey.
Eala’s Wimbledon debut on July 1, 2025, was a landmark for the Philippines, a country where tennis struggles against the dominance of basketball. Facing defending champion Barbora Krejčíková, Eala stunned the tennis world by winning the first set 6-3 with aggressive left-handed groundstrokes and fearless net play. Though she fell 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, her presence on Centre Court marked a historic moment, earning praise from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who called her “a beacon of Filipino pride.” Eala’s 2025 season has been remarkable, with a runner-up finish at the Eastbourne Open and victories over Grand Slam champions like Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys at the Miami Open, propelling her into the WTA Top 100. Her Wimbledon run, though brief, showcased her potential as a future star, drawing comparisons to American women like Williams, who last reached a Wimbledon final 19 years ago.
Musk’s decision to gift Eala a Tesla was both a personal and symbolic gesture. A Forbes report on July 16, 2025, revealed that Musk, a tennis enthusiast who has followed Eala’s rise since her 2022 US Open junior singles title, was moved by her resilience. Sources close to Musk noted his admiration for athletes who break barriers, with one telling Bloomberg, “Elon saw Alex’s Wimbledon match and said she’s got the kind of drive Tesla stands for.” The Model Y, valued at $65,000, was delivered to Eala at a training facility in London, where she was preparing for the WTA 1000 Canadian Open. A video posted on X by @TeslaFanatic showed Eala, visibly shocked, climbing into the sleek electric SUV, her trademark sampaguita hair tie—a nod to the Philippines’ national flower—gleaming in the sunlight.
The gesture sparked a frenzy on X, with hashtags like #EalaTesla and #MuskGift trending globally, amassing over 1.2 million posts. Fans celebrated the moment, with one user writing, “Alex Eala deserves this—she’s carrying a nation’s dreams!” Another, @PinoyPrideTennis, posted, “Elon Musk giving Alex a Tesla is iconic. She’s our Serena!” The gift also drew praise from tennis legends like Ashleigh Barty, who recently announced a sponsorship for Eala, tweeting, “What a way to celebrate Alex’s journey!” The comparison to American women’s tennis resonated, as no American woman has matched Eala’s youthful breakthrough at Wimbledon since Williams’ dominance, highlighting her role in inspiring a new generation.
The gift aligns with Musk’s history of high-profile philanthropy, such as his $7 million donation to Texas flood victims in July 2025. Eala, whose family faced financial struggles to fund her training at the Rafa Nadal Academy, expressed gratitude on Instagram, saying, “Thank you, Mr. Musk, for this incredible honor. I’ll keep pushing forward for my country.” The Tesla, equipped with advanced features like Autopilot, symbolizes Eala’s forward momentum as she prepares to face top players like Iga Świątek in Canada. Her story has also sparked conversations about representation, with The Philippine Star noting that her success is driving tennis development in the Philippines.
As Eala drives her new Tesla, the gesture underscores her growing influence. Fans on X shared images of her with the car, captioned, “From Manila to Wimbledon to a Tesla—Alex is unstoppable.” Musk’s gift, a nod to her barrier-breaking achievement, has not only celebrated Eala’s historic milestone but also ignited hope for aspiring athletes worldwide, proving that talent and determination can attract the world’s attention—and even a Tesla from Elon Musk.
