A clip of Alex Eala and Zeynep Sönmez joking about matching Bottega Veneta bags is going viral. The footage, originally filmed in February for a WTA vlog, has resurfaced in the days since Eala's historic Wimbledon run earned her £300,000, and the comments section has turned into a running celebration of a joke that finally came true.
Back in February, the two players sat down for a WTA vlog and joked that they would need 'Grand Slam kind of money' before they could afford matching Bottegas and the expensive dinners to go with it. At the time, it was just two close friends messing about on camera. Five months later, with Eala's Wimbledon fortune banked, that joke feels like a manifestation and fans are treating it as one.
Fans React to Alex Eala's Resurfaced Bottega Clip
The comments under the resurfaced clip tell their own story. 'She got that money now,' reads one. Others have leaned into the sentimental side of it, with one fan writing simply, 'How awesome to see this kind of friendship.' Someone else crowned Eala the 'Queen of Delayed Gratification,' while multiple commenters have urged her to actually go through with the shopping trip now that she can afford it, telling her she has 'earned it well' and deserves 'a good shopping spree.
@esp.bri_ Rival at the court, bestie in real life. 🤗😍 Sakto nasa London sila 😍 ang dami nila pwedeng puntahan. 🤗👏❤️ They are so cute. 😍🔥 Rooting for these ladies. Sila nila TITA DONNA tinitingnan ko lagi sa draw. Sayang lang nagchoke si ZEYNEP. Pasok din sana sya sa 3rd round. 😭😬 Btw, Ganda ni ZEYNEP. 🤗😍 #alexeala #zeynep #bestie
♬ original sound - BRN ESPNS - BRN ESPNS
How Alex Eala and Zeynep Sönmez Became Friends
Eala and Sönmez have been friends since 2021, long before either of them was chasing ranking points on Centre Court. Their shared history is part of why the clip resonates with fans. They have played together in doubles this season, most recently reaching the second round at the Madrid Open, and were photographed side by side at Wimbledon, posing with Kate Middleton.
On court, Eala holds a 3-0 record over her friend, proof that competition has never gotten in the way of the bond. This established closeness, combined with the timing of their matches, has led fans to view their playful rivalry as a genuine milestone in their friendship rather than just a coincidence.
How Much Alex Eala Actually Won at Wimbledon
Eala's performance at Wimbledon has reignited an old joked with renewed vigor. Her run to the Round of 16, the best Grand Slam result of her career, saw her beat defending champion Iga Swiatek before falling to Jasmine Paolini. This earned her 240 WTA ranking points and £300,000 in prize money, on top of the US$871,438 she had already banked this season.
It concluded a successful grass swing that featured a WTA 125 title in Birmingham and a semifinal appearance in Berlin. For a 21-year-old ranked No. 32 in the world, this achievement is more than sufficient to transform a February wish list of designer bags into pocket change.
Whether Eala and Sönmez will ultimately fulfil the Bottega pact remains to be seen. For now, though, fans are just pleased to see that an old joke has aged so well. The vlog clip continues to receive numerous comments from supporters cheering Eala on. If the ranking points and prize money are any indication, that shopping trip might not be too far off.
