Marcos hails Alex Eala’s historic Wimbledon run: ‘True inspiration’

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised tennis superstar Alex Eala for inspiring Filipino youth following her historic Wimbledon win, becoming the first Filipino to advance to the fourth round of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament.

Marcos enthusiastically shared the news with reporters at the conclusion of his official visit to Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday (early Sunday in Manila), giving not one, but two, fist pumps in the air.

“She really is becoming a true inspiration, especially for younger people, younger Filipinos,” he said.

The president congratulated Eala for her “world-class” and “terrific” performance at Wimbledon.

“She’s just getting started. Our young athlete still has much more to achieve,” Marcos said of the 21-year-old Eala.

He also commended Eala on his official social media page on Sunday.

“Thank you for showing young Filipinos that they, too, can dream big and reach the world’s biggest stage,” he said.

The president expressed support for Eala on behalf of all Filipinos, saying the entire nation continues to rally behind her as she competes and brings honor and recognition to the Philippines on the international stage.

“Keep it up. We’ll all be here. The whole Filipino nation is cheering you on,” Marcos said.

“We know that you are fighting, making us proud, and bringing luster and honor to the Philippines,” he added.

Eala, currently ranked No. 29 in the world, stunned defending Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Iga Swiatek of Poland, 7-6(9), 6-2, in their third-round match on Saturday (London time).

READ: Alex Eala emotional as little kid from PH reaches Wimbledon last 16

She became the first Filipino player in the Open Era to reach the second week of a Grand Slam tournament after defeating Swiatek, a six-time major champion and the defending Wimbledon champion.

As she continues to make history, Eala said every milestone is dedicated to her younger self and to the Philippines.

“It’s incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on, and knowing that we’re all in this together. So this goes out to them, this goes out to my family, this goes out to all of the little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks. It means the world,” she added.

Eala will next face No. 13-ranked Jasmine Paolini of Italy, the 2024 Wimbledon runner-up, in the fourth round. /mcm