MANILA, Philippines — Senators commended teenager tennis star Alex Eala for recently capturing the United States (US) Open girls singles title, a first in Philippine sports history.
Eala became the first Filipino to win a tennis Grand Slam singles title after defeating World No. 3 Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic on Sunday (Manila time) in New York.
Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Sonny Angara extended their compliments during the Senate Committee on Sports hearing on Monday.
“What a great start for us in the Philippine sports,” Go, chairperson of the Senate sports panel, said during his opening remarks on Monday.
Go shared that the Senate has a proposed resolution, which he co-authored, congratulating Eala.
“I think Philippine sports is having a moment right now… Of all the greats that played in tennis, si Alex Eala po ‘yung unang nakasungkit ng grand slam sa juniors. So congratulations… Napakalaking karangalan ang dinala niya sa ating bansa,” added Angara, former chairperson of the sports panel.
(Of all the greats that played in tennis, Alex Eala was the first to win the grand slam in juniors. So congratulations. She brought a big honor to the country.)
Senators JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Jinggoy Estrada, in separate Twitter posts, likewise lauded Eala and her historic feat.
“Congratulations!!! Alex Eala wins US Open Girls Championship!” said Ejercito, posting a photo of the tennis player.
Cayetano thanked Eala for being an inspiration to the country and the youth.
Binay, Villanueva, and Estrada posted separate congratulatory photos for Eala.
“Congratulations Alex Eala for winning the 2022 US Open Junior Girls’ Singles Tournament and bringing home the Philippines’ first ever Singles Grandslam in Tennis! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino (Long live Philippine athletes)!” Binay said.
Villanueva, meanwhile, posted: “Congratulations [Alex Eala] for winning the 2022 [US Open] Girls championship and for being the first Filipino to win a Junior Grand Slam Singles title. Maraming salamat sa karangalang binigay mo sa ating bansa. Mabuhay ka, champ! God bless you more!”
(Thank you for the honor you gave the country. Long live, champ!)
“Congratulations [Alex Eala] sa pagkapanalo at pag gawa ng kasaysayan bilang kauna-unahang Pilipino na nagwagi sa [US Open] Junior Girls Singles! Ikinararangal ka ng buong bansa! Mabuhay!!!” Estrada, for his part, said.
(Congratulations, Alex Eala for winning and making history as the first Filipino to win the US Open Junior Girls Singles! The whole nation is proud of you! Long live!)
Sharing a video of the athlete’s historic win, Gatchalian said: “Congratulations, Alexandra Eala! Maraming salamat sa karangalan na iyong ibinigay sa bansa.”
(Thank you for the honor you gave the country.)
After clinching the Grand Slam singles title, 17-year-old Eala will return to the professional circuit for the rest of the year. – Daniza Fernandez/ INQUIRER