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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 'Yan ang puso ng Pilipino': Nadal, Pacquiao shower Eala with praises

'Yan ang puso ng Pilipino': Nadal, Pacquiao shower Eala with praises

Published Aug 4, 2026 02:33 pm

At A Glance

  • The Filipina ace was immediately showered with praises following her historic triumph at the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open, with one coming from her childhood idol, Rafael Nadal.
(AP / Rafa Nadal X)
(AP / Rafa Nadal X)
Welcome to the winner's circle, Alex Eala.
The Filipina ace was immediately showered with praises following her historic triumph at the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open, with one coming from her childhood idol, Rafael Nadal.
The 21-year-old Eala received a heartfelt message from the 22-time Grand Slam champion after capturing her first-ever WTA Tour singles title, becoming the first Filipino to achieve the feat on the professional tour.
“Congratulations,@AlexEala05! What an incredible week in Washington! A well-deserved [championship] for all the hard work,” Nadal wrote as Eala captured her maiden WTA 500 title at the expense of American Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
“Congratulations to [the Philippines] and to the entire [Rafa Nadal Academy] Team!” added Nadal, the founder of the Rafa Nadal Academy where Eala trained starting in 2018.
Among those who gave their flowers was boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who heaped praises on the current world No. 20 after a successful rally in second set against the 2019 champion Pegula.
“Down in the first round pero bumangon. Yan ang puso ng Pilipino! Congrats Alex Eala, our new champion!” Pacquiao wrote.
No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his message to the Filipina lefty
“Congratulations on yet another historic achievement. You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits,” he wrote.
“Kasama mo ang sambahayang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng panibagong tagumpay na ito. Mabuhay ka, Alex!” he added.
Eala is deprived of a well-deserved break as she is set to compete in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada this week,

Related Tags

Alex Eala Rafa Nadal Academy Manny Pacquiao PBBM DC Open WTA
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