SEN. Bong Go lauded Philippine tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s win that gained her entry into the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, saying her comeback victory reflects the Filipino fighting spirit.
The 20-year-old Eala, the No. 29 seed in the women’s singles draw, rallied past Australia’s Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, in their second-round match at the All England Club on Thursday, July 2. She will next face world No. 3 Iga Swiatek for a place in the round of 16.
“What Alex Eala showed was amazing. It’s not easy to lose the first set, especially at a big tournament like Wimbledon, but she showed the courage, discipline and determination of a Filipino athlete,” Go said.
The victory was Eala’s redemption after Joint beat her in last year’s Eastbourne Open final by saving four championship points.
Go said Eala’s feat should inspire Filipino athletes to persevere despite challenges.
“In sports, you don’t always win right away. There are losses, there are pains, there are pressures, and there are times when you have to get up. The important thing is not to give up. That’s what Alex showed,” he said.
Eala opened her Wimbledon campaign with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, securing the first main-draw Wimbledon victory of her career before advancing to the tournament’s third round for the first time.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, said that to produce more athletes like Eala, the government must invest in grassroots sports programs, quality coaching, training facilities, nutrition, international exposure and modern mental training.
“We have many talented young Filipinos. All they need is to be given the opportunity, guidance, support and the right program from the grassroots to the national level,” he said.
The senator said that these are the goals of the sports legislations he supported, including Republic 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Tarlac, and Senate Bill 171, which seeks to establish regional campuses of the National Academy of Sports.
