House adopts resolution hailing Alex Eala for historic Grand Slam title

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Alexandra Eala of Philippines celebrates after defeating Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic during their Junior Girl’s Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a resolution congratulating and commending Alex Eala, the first-ever Filipino to win a Junior Grand Slam Singles title at the 2022 US Open Tennis.

House Resolution No. 362 – consolidated with 15 other resolutions –  was filed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingog Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

“Alex’s feat underscores the kind of dizzying heights the country has achieved in tennis and her exemplary performance, which is one of the greatest in Philippine sports history, deserves utmost commendation, and distinction for the honor and glory it brought to the country,” the resolution read.

It paid tribute to the 17-year-old tennis sensation’s journey before her historic win in the recent US Open, tracing it from when she ranked tenth seed in the tournament and later rose to defeat high-ranking players such as Australia’s Taylah Preston and Canada’s Victoria Mboko.

READ: House lawmakers congratulate Alex Eala for winning US Open 

She then went on to conquer a match with second seed and World Junior No. 3 Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic during the US Open finals.

“Alex, who spent the whole year playing in the professional level, was a masterclass in her return to juniors as she did not drop a single set in six matches,” the resolution noted.

It also lauded Eala for being “an ambassador of the Philippines in tennis and eager to promote the sport among her countrymen.”

The resolution put on record Eala dedicating her victory to the Filipino people and the future of Philippine tennis, which she emotionally delivered on Sunday morning (Manila time) during the trophy presentation in New York.

READ: Alex Eala offers historic US Open juniors title to Philippine tennis 

Eala, the daughter of the former national swimmer Riza Maniego, broke through this career feat in front of her family, including her father Mike, and the Filipino community.

The Filipino tennis superstar is currently ranked 297th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) after reaching her best ranking No. 280 last August 1.

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