After Alex Eala delivered an upset versus the world’s number two female tennis player, Poland’s Iga Świątek, in the Miami Open on Wednesday, 27 March, Malacañang Palace has lauded this achievement, citing it as one of the nation’s “big wins” in the realm of sports.
During a Palace briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro extended Malacañang's congratulations on Eala's accomplishment.
“This is one of the greatest achievements of a Filipino. Malacañang Palace and the President are proud of Filipinos who bring honor to the Philippines,” she said.
“So, congratulations to our kababayan, and this is not the end of our gratitude for our countrymen who bring honor to the Philippines,” she added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is known for being a sports fan. He, and the First Family, earlier hosted Filipino Olympians at Malacañang Palace following the Philippines’ success in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
During the sporting event, three Pinoy athletes clinched four medals: a double gold medal for Carlos Yulo in gymnastics and two bronze medals for Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas in boxing.
Eala is the first female tennis athlete from the Philippines to have reached the last eight of a WTA 1000 tournament.
Eala moved to Spain at the age of 13 to join Rafael Nadal's academy in Mallorca. She graduated in 2023.