NOT even multiple delays caused by persistent rains could stop Alexandra “Alex” Eala from claiming her first WTA Tour-level title at the 500 Mubadala DC Open in Washington D.C.
Down a set before the final was halted due to rains Monday, Eala came out with guns blazing in the resumption past Tuesday midnight in Manila to turn back world No. 3 and tournament top seed Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center Stadium Court.
Clad in her pastel green outfit paired with maroon shoes, Eala proved unstoppable in the decider, overpowering 11-time champ Pegula with a bagel to avenge her defeat to the American at the Miami Open semifinal last year, 6-7, 7-5, 3-6.
Winning eight straight games after the 4-4 tie in the second set, Eala clinched the match with a forehand that Pegula returned outside as she became the first Philippine player to win a WTA title as the Filipino crowd in the jam-packed stands rejoiced.
Eala’s latest milestone is a fitting follow up to her historic Wimbledon run about a month ago when she became the first Filipino singles player to reach the London grass major fourth round.
Speaking post-match in Washington, Eala thanked Filipino fans all over the world for their support.
“To all my supporters, thank you guys. So, thank you to all my supporters, especially the Filipino community here in DC, back home, and wherever you are in the world. I feel all the love. Thank you so much fellow Filipinos,” said Eala during the court interview.
Overwhelmed with emotions after the clincher, Eala dropped her racket, fell to her knees crying, covered her face with her palms, and then got back up to hug Pegula in center court.
“Before the final yesterday I got so many messages, sweet messages from my family and my friends who are on Tour, wherever else in the world and I thought to myself I feel so much love, so standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at the title knowing it won’t be my last,” said Eala.
“And already having achieved this feat and this milestone for my career, I knew that whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me so thank you everybody and I really look forward to seeing you guys again!” Eala dropped to her knees again, touched the floor, stood and walked towards the umpire for a clasp, then let out a yell to the crowd and hugged her coach Joan Bosch in the stands.
A two-time 125-tier (Challenger) champ, Eala also stopped No. 2 seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal, 6-3, 6-4, as well as No. 3 seed and four-time Grand Slam champ Naomi Osaka in the semis, 6-4- 6-2.
The 21-year-old started her campaign by defeating reigning Olympic champ and former world No. 4 Zheng Qinwen of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, before dethroning defending champ Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the second round, 6-2, 7-6(1), in one of the most amazing runs for a maiden title.
Eala continued her winning record against top 10 players, adding Pegula to her victims as she raised her win-loss card to 9-4.
More importantly, Eala’s Washington conquest also sent her from No. 28 to a new career-best No. 20 in the rankings with a total of 2,106 points.
She also improved from No. 25 to a season-best No. 14 in the WTA Finals race with 1,887 points.
Breakthrough victory
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday congratulated Eala after she captured the Philippines’ first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 singles title, calling the victory another historic breakthrough for Philippine sports.
In a social media post, Marcos praised Eala for continuing to raise the country’s profile in international tennis.
“Alex Eala does it again. The Philippines now has its first WTA 500 champion,” the president said.
“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.” Marcos added that the entire nation celebrates Eala’s latest milestone.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president avoids watching Eala’s matches live, saying he fears jinxing the results.
“He told me that usually, he doesn’t like to watch live because it seems that he has bad luck when he watches personal games or watches live,” said Castro.
Lawmakers hail Eala
Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero led senators in congratulating Eala, saying her victory brought pride to the nation.
Before the start of Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, Escudero paused the proceedings to recognize Eala’s achievement on behalf of the senator-judges.
Escudero said that despite the parties’ differences inside the impeachment court, he believed everyone was united in celebrating Eala’s historic achievement for the Philippines.
“Even though our views may differ and although both sides are opposing each other in the impeachment court, there are things we should all agree on and unite behind — especially for those who stayed up late last night watching TV,” Escudero said before the start of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“For me, one of those is the victory and championship of our talented and courageous fellow Filipino, Alex Eala, at the DC Open,” he added.
Escudero said in jest that if any senator-judge were sleepy during the trial, they likely watched Eala’s game.
In a separate statement, Sen. Francis Pangilinan also lauded Eala’s victory, saying it should inspire Filipino youth and highlight the positive impact of sports.
He said Eala’s success underscores the need for greater government investment in sports through stronger grassroots programs, modern facilities, and sustained support for Filipino athletes.
The senator called for increased funding for school sports programs, community sports clinics, early childhood sports initiatives, and specialized sports academies.
He also proposed sports vouchers, scholarships, grants, facility upgrades, subsidized coaching programs, and standardized equipment to strengthen athlete development.
Meanwhile, Senate Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, and Sens. Joel Villanueva, Bam Aquino, Bong Go, Erwin Tulfo and Mark Villar filed separate resolutions honoring Eala.
Ejercito also recognized Eala as an inspiration to millions of Filipinos, especially the youth, adding that her journey — from a young girl who trained on the tennis court after school to becoming a champion on the world stage — showed that Filipino talent, when matched with discipline and nurturing, can compete with the world’s best.
He said Eala’s breakthrough also highlighted the importance of sustained investments in sports development and athlete training.
Villanueva described Eala’s victory as one of the greatest achievements in Philippine sports history.
“With this historic triumph, Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, marking a milestone never before achieved by any Filipino tennis player in the Open Era and firmly establishing her place in Philippine sporting history,” he said.
Aquino noted Eala’s string of accomplishments for Philippine tennis.
“Throughout her championship run, Alex Eala defeated an Olympic gold medalist, a Grand Slam champion, and several of the world’s highest-ranked players, underscoring the extraordinary level of competition she overcame to capture the title,” Aquino said.
“Eala’s talent, hard work, discipline, and perseverance, culminating in this remarkable achievement, serve as an inspiration to young Filipinos to pursue their dreams with determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment,” he added.
Go, who chairs both the Senate Committee on Sports and the Senate Committee on Youth, lauded Eala’s historic win, describing it as a “significant milestone in her professional career and in Philippine tennis history.”
“Alex Eala’s remarkable victory highlights her astonishing talent, unwavering determination, and extraordinary potential, inspiring young Filipino athletes to pursue excellence through discipline, perseverance and hard work,” Go said.
Tulfo also commended Eala’s remarkable victory, saying “her championship run demonstrated exceptional skill, perseverance, mental toughness, sportsmanship and unwavering determination which signifies her Filipino traits against some of the world’s highest-ranked tennis players, inspiring millions of Filipinos both at home and abroad.” Congratulations also poured in from the House of Representatives.
Speaker Faustino Dy III, in a social media post, noted Eala’s victory as a result of years of dedication and sacrifice.
“Years of sweat and sacrifice resulted in history — the first Filipina to win a WTA title,” Dy said. “It is inspiring to see that the hard work of one Filipina has brought joy to millions of Filipinos.” The lawmaker added that Eala’s achievement demonstrates the value of perseverance, discipline and commitment, adding that her success serves as an inspiration for young Filipinos striving to achieve their goals.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed House Resolution No. 1285 congratulating and commending the 21-year-old for her achievement of being the first Filipino to capture a WTA Tour singles title.
“Alex Eala did not just win a championship — she changed what is possible for Filipino athletes. Today, every young Filipino picking up a tennis racket is dreaming a little bigger because of her,” Tiangco said.
The resolution recognizes Eala’s determination, discipline, resilience and world-class performance throughout the tournament, saying her victory brought honor to the Philippines and raised the country’s profile in international tennis.
