The Philippines is currently experiencing a surge of enthusiasm for tennis following the remarkable achievement of 21-year-old Alex Eala, who has garnered recognition from the nation’s president after her groundbreaking victory.

On Monday, Eala made history by becoming the first athlete from the Philippines to clinch a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour-level singles title.

President Ferdinand Marcos took to social media on Tuesday to commend Eala for her “yet another historic achievement,” stating, “You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits.”

In a thrilling match held in Washington, D.C., Eala triumphed over top-seeded player Jessica Pegula, managing to rally back for the win after rain delays extended the match across two days.

Pegula expressed her admiration for the crowd, noting, “This is the best Monday final crowd I’ve seen… To all the Filipino fans who came out and supported, you are helping to grow tennis globally, and I appreciate that. As a female athlete in tennis, we love to see that growth.”

Stadium signs conveyed the pride of Filipinos, with one reading: “Alex, you make us proud to be Filipino.”

Earlier in July, Eala had already captured the nation’s attention during her exceptional performance at Wimbledon, where she became the first Filipino woman to advance so far in a Grand Slam event, even defeating the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, in straight sets on Centre Court.

Upon her return home, Eala was celebrated like a hero, with President Marcos hosting a reception at Malacañang Palace in Manila. This event marked a significant shift in the country’s engagement with tennis, a sport that had previously drawn little interest.

Her achievements have motivated many Filipinos to take up tennis, leading to a surge in demand for classes, camps, and court usage. This increase has prompted clubs to refurbish aging facilities and has enhanced support for the national tennis federation.

Discussing the growing popularity of the sport at a press conference, Eala remarked, “Everyone comes up to me whenever I go back to Manila saying it’s so hard to get courts… that’s a positive sign because when I was younger, the courts were empty, and nobody was playing.”

Traditionally, the sporting culture in the Philippines has revolved around basketball, billiards, and boxing. However, Eala’s supporters have been filling local venues and public spaces for watch parties, often staying up late to cheer her on, despite the time difference.

The nation has been without a significant sports hero since boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who referred to Eala as “our new champion” on social media, praising her remarkable comeback in Washington as a demonstration of the “Filipino heart.”

Mark Ein, the tournament director in Washington, noted the unprecedented interest in Eala, stating, “Over the last month, the ticketing team has mentioned that at least 80%, if not more, of the inquiries for this tournament are about when Alex Eala is scheduled to play.”

Tennis is a sport typically dominated by players from countries like the United States, Great Britain, and France, which have the financial resources to nurture young talent. In contrast, the Philippines lacks such infrastructure, rendering tennis largely accessible only to the elite, with courts primarily located in affluent areas.

Although Eala comes from a well-known family, she began playing tennis on repurposed basketball courts in Quezon City before moving to Spain at the age of 13 to join the Rafa Nadal Academy on a scholarship.

She is now a source of inspiration for young Filipinos from less privileged backgrounds, advocating for improved access to public courts and better facilities, while emphasizing the need for quality equipment.

During her time at Wimbledon, Eala began to fully grasp the influence she has on countless Filipinos, expressing her gratitude at the palace reception, as reported by the state news agency.

“I’m incredibly thankful that I can share my successes… with the country,” Eala stated. “As we say, tagumpay nating lahat (this is our victory).”