‘Our new champion’: Philippines swept up in tennis fever after Alex Eala’s historic win

The Philippines has become captivated by tennis following the historic victory of 21-year-old rising star Alex Eala at a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour-level singles event. President Ferdinand Marcos extended his congratulations on social media, praising Eala for redefining what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspiring young Filipinos to dream without limits.

Eala's triumph, achieved after overcoming a rain delay, came when she defeated the top-ranked player Jessica Pegula in Washington DC. Pegula commended the enthusiastic Filipino fans for supporting Eala, noting that their presence contributed to the growth of tennis worldwide. During the match, signs at the stadium highlighted Eala's significance to the nation, with one reading, "Alex you make us proud to be Filipino."

Filipinos had already celebrated Eala's historic performance at Wimbledon earlier in the year, where she upset the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, on Centre Court and became the first Filipino woman to advance past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam championship. Her return to the Philippines was met with a hero's welcome, including a reception hosted by Marcos in her honor at Malacanang Palace.

The surge in interest has led to a rise in the popularity of tennis across the country, with classes, camps, and courts becoming fully booked, prompting clubs to upgrade existing facilities. Eala's success has inspired countless Filipinos, leading clubs to fill with supporters who stay up late to cheer on their national champion across the globe.

The Philippines, historically known for its interest in basketball, billiards, and boxing, now has a newfound passion for tennis, which has been largely inaccessible to the general public due to limited infrastructure and resources. Eala's journey from playing on painted-over basketball courts to becoming a WTA champion has demonstrated the need for improved access to public courts and equipment, as well as better conditions for those that exist.