Philippines’ Alexandra Eala plays a return to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa during their women’s singles second round tennis match on day four of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 27, 2025. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday praised tennis ace Alex Eala for becoming the first Filipino to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championship, calling it a proud moment for the country.
“History has been written by Alex Eala as she becomes the first Filipino to win a singles title!” Marcos wrote in a Facebook post.
READ: Alex Eala clinches first WTA title, rules Guadalajara 125 Open
Eala defeated Panna Udvardy of Hungary in a three-set final, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, early Sunday (Philippine time) at Grandstand Caliente in Mexico.
Marcos said Eala’s victory was also a triumph for the nation, as he vowed to extend greater support for Filipino athletes aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
READ: Alex Eala beats Clara Tauson in historic US Open win
“We will do everything to ensure that more Filipino athletes follow this path and showcase to the world the talent and heart of the Filipino,” Marcos wrote in Filipino.
Eala’s championship at the Guadalajara Open adds to her five International Tennis Federation singles titles and her 2022 US Open girls’ trophy.
On August 25, she also defeated Clara Tauson of Denmark in a historic US Open victory./mcm
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