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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider She does it again! Marcos hails Alex Eala for winning first WTA title

She does it again! Marcos hails Alex Eala for winning first WTA title

Published Aug 4, 2026 02:32 am  |  Updated Aug 4, 2026 01:30 pm
HERSTORY! —Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala captures her first WTA title at the Washington Open on Aug. 4, 2026 (Manila time), defeating World no. 3 Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. (Mubadala DC Open)
HERSTORY! —Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala captures her first WTA title at the Washington Open on Aug. 4, 2026 (Manila time), defeating World no. 3 Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. (Mubadala DC Open)
Shortly after Filipina tennis superstar Alex Eala captured her first WTA title, President Marcos extended his congratulations and expressed that the nation is with her in this feat. 
"Alex Eala does it again," the President said in his message early Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. 
"The Philippines now has its first WTA 500 champion. Congratulations on yet another historic achievement," Marcos added.
The Chief Executive, who hosted a homecoming dinner for Eala at Malacañan Palace last month, commended the young tennis ace for showing possibilities for Philippines tennis and for being an inspiration to young Filipinos. 
"You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits," he told Eala.
"Kasama mo ang sambayanang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng panibagong tagumpay na ito. Mabuhay ka, Alex (The entire Filipino nation is with you in celebrating this new victory. Long live, Alex)!" Marcos said.
In a Palace briefing on Tuesday noon, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has no information whether the President watched Eala's game real time as she disclosed that he usually avoid watching Eala's matches real time or live due to superstition.
"Noong nakaraang araw ay tinanong ko kung pinanood niya iyong ibang laro ng Pangulo, ang sabi po sa atin, usually ay ayaw niyang manood nang live dahil mukhang mayroon daw yata siyang dalang hindi suwerte kapag nanonood siya nang personal na laro o  nanonood siya live (The other day, I asked the President if he had watched the other matches. He told us that he usually doesn't like watching games live because he feels he might bring bad luck whenever he watches in person or follows the match live)," Castro bared.
"So, kagabi ay hindi ko naitanong kung siya mismo ay nanood pero nagbigay na po siya ng kaniyang pagbati at karangalan sa buong taumbayan, sa sambayanang Pilipino at ng ating bansa ang pagkapanalo po ni Alex Eala. So, congratulations(So, last night I wasn't able to ask whether he watched the match himself. However, he has already extended his congratulations, saying that Alex Eala's victory is a source of pride and honor for the entire Filipino people and for our country. So, congratulations)!" she added.
Asked whether the President will give Eala another acknowledgement or invitation to the Palace, Castro said the Chief Executive "has been unwavering in his support for her" but at present, there has been no discussion yet about inviting her again.
Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA 500 title after winning the Mubadala Washington D.C. Open championship on Monday (Washington time).
She defeated World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in three sets, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, in a match that took one whole day to complete due to rain delays.
Their match on Sunday was suspended during the second set because of rain and resumed at noon on Monday.

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President Marcos Alex Eala WTA Washington Open Jessica Pegula
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