MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hailed the historic feat of Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala, who made waves as the first Filipino to reach a WTA 250 singles final, calling her runner-up finish a victory for the nation despite falling short in the Lexus Eastbourne International championship match.
Eala, 19, pushed Australia’s Maya Joint to a nail-biting three-set thriller—6-4, 1-6, 7-6—at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club in Eastbourne, United Kingdom on Saturday night, marking a major milestone in Philippine tennis history and Southeast Asian representation in the women’s professional tour.
“We all watched you make history as the first Filipino to reach a WTA 250 singles final. That alone is already a victory for our country and for the millions of Filipinos who stand proudly behind you,” Marcos posted on Facebook following the match.
“You’ve made us all proud! Keep going, your best is yet to come. Tuloy ang laban, Alex!” he added.
Eala’s historic run also made her the first Southeast Asian to reach a WTA singles final since Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn did so in 2010.
Hours before the championship showdown, Marcos expressed excitement over Eala’s campaign, saying, “Can’t wait to watch [Alex Eala] make history in the Philippines’ first-ever WTA Finals. We’re already so proud, Alex. Just play your game and enjoy every moment.”
Eala’s journey to the finals follows a strong semifinal finish at the Miami Open in March, where she bowed to American star Jessica Pegula.
Up next: Wimbledon. The rising Filipina tennis ace is set to face reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in the opening round./PN
