📷: Alexandra “Alex” Eala / WTA
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday congratulated Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala after she became the first Filipino to advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon, calling her victory a “moment of national pride and inspiration.”
“There are days when an entire nation celebrates together. Today is one of those days,” Marcos said in a social media post. “Congratulations, Alex Eala! You have become the first Filipino ever to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon, and the whole country couldn’t be prouder.”
Eala, ranked No. 29 in the world, stunned defending champion and world No. 3 Iga Swiatek of Poland, 7-6(9), 6-2, in their third-round clash at the All England Club on Saturday. The 21-year-old saved two set points in the opening tiebreak before dominating the second set to secure the biggest win of her career.
Marcos said Eala’s breakthrough was only the beginning of her journey. “Watching you today, I couldn’t be more convinced. You’re just getting started,” he added, thanking her for inspiring young Filipinos to dream big. “Keep going, Alex. We are behind you all the way. Laban!”
Eala is the first Filipino player in the Open Era to reach the second week of a Grand Slam. She will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, in the fourth round on Monday. # (ZIA LUNA)
