MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday called Alex Eala “an inspiration to everyone” after the Filipina tennis player made it all the way to the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open.
Eala became the first Filipino to reach that far in a WTA1000 tournament, and made headlines in her sport after a star-making week wherein she defeated a trio of Grand Slam champions, including world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Her run ended on Friday morning (Manila time) against world No. 4 Jessica Pegula of the United States, but not before she gave the veteran a scare and forced her into a deciding third set.
“We would like to congratulate our tennis phenomenon, Alex Eala, on her historic and amazing run in the 2025 Miami Open,” Marcos Jr. said in a Facebook post.
“Truly, what you did showed the whole world what a Filipino athlete is all about – determined, steadfast and never the one to back away from any challenges,” he added.
The 19-year-old Eala, who entered the tournament ranked 140th in the world, is “an inspiration to everyone, especially to ordinary Filipinos who face life’s daily challenges with the same grit and determination,” the president said.
Marcos Jr. thanked Eala for her sacrifices and hard work, and expressed his confidence that “the elusive championship title is within reach” for the athlete.
Several of Eala’s fellow athletes and even celebrities earlier hailed her achievement, with former senator and iconic boxer Manny Pacquiao saying “(t)he whole nation is proud” of her.
