President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hailed Alex Eala after the young Filipina tennis star made history at the US Open, calling her victory a moment of national pride.
In an Instagram Story, Marcos congratulated Eala for becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles main-draw match. “Kasama mo ang buong Pilipinas sa bawat laban mo. Sama-sama naming isisigaw sa mundo ang galing ng Pilipino!” the President wrote, adding that the 19-year-old is “only getting started.”
Eala stunned the tennis world after outlasting world No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6–3, 2–6, 7–6(11), in a dramatic first-round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate broke down in tears on court, saying, “I’m so blessed to be the first to do this. I take so much pride in representing my country.”
