Marcos hails Eala's DC Open triumph

With her first-ever title, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday hailed Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala for making history as the Philippines' first-ever Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 500 champion.

During her WTA 500 campaign, Eala defeated reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen of China, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, world No. 10 Elina Svitolina, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

In a Facebook post, Marcos said Eala's latest achievement continues to inspire young Filipinos to pursue their dreams without limits, adding that the Filipina tennis sensation has once again brought pride and honor to the country through her historic victory on the international tennis stage.

“𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗘𝗮𝗹𝗮 does it again,” President Marcos posted on his official Facebook account, Bongbong Marcos, at around 2 a.m. “The 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 now has its first 𝗪𝗧𝗔 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻.”

The President lauded the young tennis star for redefining what is possible for Philippine tennis and serving as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country.

“Congratulations on yet another historic achievement. You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits,” the President added.

The President also assured Eala of the nation's unwavering support as Filipinos celebrate her latest triumph.

“𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙢𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙮 𝙣𝙖 𝙞𝙩𝙤,” the Chief Executive said. “𝙈𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙮 𝙠𝙖, 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭!”

Eala's victory further cemented her place among the country's most accomplished athletes on the global stage.