First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Wednesday congratulated Alex Eala after she made history by becoming the first Filipino and the first Southeast Asian to win a WTA 500 singles tennis title with her breakthrough victory at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C.

“Congratulations, Alex Eala, on your incredible WTA 500 championship! Your grit, passion, and perseverance have inspired an entire nation,” the First Lady wrote on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“Thank you for making every Filipino proud. Mabuhay ka!” she added.

Malacañang had earlier said Eala would once again be invited to the Palace in recognition of her latest achievement, following the earlier reception she received after her impressive Wimbledon campaign.

Eala’s title run in the US capital marked another watershed moment for Philippine sports.

In the championship match, she stunned world No. 3 Jessica Pegula to capture the biggest title of her young career, becoming the first player from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to win a tournament at the WTA 500 level.

The victory also propelled the 21-year-old to a career-high world ranking, further cementing her emergence as one of the fastest-rising stars on the WTA Tour.

During her championship run, Eala defeated several established players, showcasing the poise, power and resilience that have fueled her rapid ascent in women’s tennis.

Beyond the trophy, Eala’s triumph represents a landmark achievement for Philippine tennis, a sport that has rarely produced champions on the global stage. Her success is widely viewed as a breakthrough that could inspire a new generation of Filipino players while raising the country’s profile in international tennis.

Fresh from her historic victory, Eala has shifted her focus to the Canadian Open in Toronto, where she is seeded No. 25 and has earned a first-round bye. She will begin her campaign against Alycia Parks of the United States as she continues her push up the world rankings.

Eala’s Washington breakthrough has sparked widespread celebration across the Philippines, with government officials, athletes and fans hailing her achievement as one of the country’s most significant accomplishments in international sports.