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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OVP lauds Alex Eala for historic WTA final finish

OVP lauds Alex Eala for historic WTA final finish

Published Jun 30, 2025 02:45 pm
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) hailed Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala for becoming the first Filipino to reach a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Final in the 2025 Eastbourne Open.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines with the runners up trophy after the Women's singles Final during day six of the Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, England on Saturday June 28, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines with the runners up trophy after the Women's singles Final during day six of the Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, England on Saturday June 28, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
While Eala fell short to Australia’s Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10-12), in a close fight during their Saturday night (Manila time) face-off, the OVP underscored the Filipina’s historic journey in the sports.

“Buong pusong binabati ng Office of the Vice President (OVP) si Alex Eala para sa kanyang makasaysayang pag-abot sa finals ng 2025 Eastbourne Open — bilang kauna-unahang Filipino player sa kasaysayan na nakarating sa isang WTA Final (The Office of the Vice President [OVP] wholeheartedly congratulates Alex Eala for her historic feat of reaching the finals of the 2025 Eastbourne Open — as the first Filipino player in history to reach a WTA Final)!,” the statement on Sunday, June 29, said.

“Isang laban na puno ng determinasyon ang kanyang ipinamalas laban kay Maya Joint mula sa bansang Australia (She showed a fight full of determination in her battle against Maya Joint from Australia),” it added.

The OVP called Eala an “inspiration” for the whole country.

Eala also reached a new career-high WTA ranking at No. 56 at the conclusion of the Eastbourne Open and just before the Wimbledon tournament opens this week.

Before reaching the finals of the Eastbourne Open, she was ranked No. 74 by the WTA. Her previous career-high was at No. 69 back in May.

A student of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, Eala first made history when she reached the semifinal of the 2025 Miami Open in March, making her the first Filipino to compete in a WTA semifinals.

She will now prepare her upcoming Wimbledon main draw debut, where she is scheduled to face Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova in Round 1.

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Alex Eala WTA OVP Eastbourne Open
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