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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider After Alex Eala's win, solons highlight need to support Pinoy athletes

After Alex Eala's win, solons highlight need to support Pinoy athletes

Published Sep 12, 2022 04:51 pm

In paying tribute to tennis sensation Alex Eala’s historic win, a lawmaker stressed the need to “invest early” on the development of young Filipino athletes so they can flourish in international competitions.

2022 US Open girls’ singles champion Alex Eala (Photo from Eala’s Facebook page)

The 17-year-old Eala became the first Filipino to win a tennis Grand Slam girls’ singles title after beating World No. 3 Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic in the 2022 US Open.

“I strongly believe that Alex Eala got a long career ahead of her, that could probably equal the achievements that of the Mighty Mite, Felicisimo Ampon,” Valenzuela City 2nd District Rep. Eric Martinez said in a statement.

“The message is clear, we should invest early on our young generation of athletes,” he stressed.

The lawmaker said the young tennis champion will “forever” serve as an inspiration to her fellow Filipinos back home with her historic achievement.

“You make our country and fellow Filipinos as well, very much proud of what you have achieved,” Martinez said.

“Indeed, you give great joy and honor to all of us, and will forever be the source of inspiration. That would remind us, special the future generations, that passion, hard work and dedications as the key in realizing our goals,” he added.

Gabriela Party-list filed on Monday, Sept. 12, a resolution congratulating and commending Eala for her historic feat.

READ: Alex Eala makes history, captures US Open Girls title

In House Resolution No. 357, Gabriel Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said Eala made yet again “herstory” by being the first Filipino to rule the US Open girls' singles competition.

“There is a need for the national government to ensure sufficient support for Filipino athletes to enable the realization of their full potential in their respective careers in sports,” their resolution read.

Previously, Eala had already won two Grand Slam junior doubles crowns, winning the 2020 Australian Open with Priska Nugroho and Roland Garros 2021 with Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Her previous best performance in a junior singles title run had been at the semifinal of the 2020 Roland Garros, where she lost to eventual champion Elsa Jacquemot.

Eala is the highest ranking Filipino at 297 in the Women’s Tennis Association as of June 2022.

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