She was also given a grand homecoming reception at the Malacañan Palace.
On Monday, July 13, a celebratory mood filled the Malacañan Palace in Manila after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. hosted a special homecoming dinner for Filipina tennis star Alex Eala.
The 21-year-old is in the country for short break after her historic run at the Wimbledon Championships in the United Kingdom.
There, she made history as the first seeded player from the Philippines in the Grand Slam event, as well as done the record feat of getting into the fourth round of the competition.
She also officially landed her career-best placement in the global singles index of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), where Eala is currently No. 28.
Present at the said event are the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Eala’s parents, among others.
“I really, really am so happy to have you here. You cannot imagine,” President Marcos said, who admitted he is a fan of the athlete. “This is one of those occasions where I say to myself, it’s good to be President.”
He also noted that Eala brought pride to the country and its people not only through her victories, but also how she handles those achievements.
Prior to Wimbledon, Eala also won the Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom, where she clinched her second WTA 125 trophy.
“You show the greatest, best qualities of Filipinos. So you remind us why we are a great race. We’re not only just happy to see one of us do so well, and do so well at this level of sport,” Marcos said to Eala.
The President also said that he, along with some people within his circle, cried when Alex won one of her matches at the Wimbledon, underscoring how important it was as there is “no higher level of professional tennis than Wimbledon.”
In addition, he also gave a message for Eala’s parents, who sent Alex abroad to train years back. The Chief Executive said that he knows “how it feels.”
“But yet you did it… because of your belief in Alex,” he said.
Marcos also praised the tennis star for being proud of her origins. “And the other thing that I have to mention is that you never fail to remind everyone that you are a Filipina. You never fail to do that.”
Shortly after that, President Marcos conferred Alex a special Presidential Citation for her historic run at the Wimbledon.
The world no. 28 then gave her message and addressed people inside the hall. During which, she admitted being nervous speaking at the Palace reception, but thanked the President and First Lady for the homecoming
“[I] Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be having dinner here at the Malacanan Palace next to you and be receiving such kind and genuine words. I feel very seen,” she said. “And hearing that come from you, I feel like all the hard work that I’ve done is seen. All the hours that aren’t on TV are seen and validated and appreciated. So thank you so, so much.”
Alex also expressed her gratitude for the recognition and said that she is proudly to be Filipino, and said, “I carry the flag with me wherever I go.”
“And I am a firm believer that where you come from is a big part of who you are. So like you said, Mr. President, I do my best to represent the best of our country on and off the court. Because I’m really proud and it comes from a genuine place of love,” she added.
It was on Sunday, July 12, when Alex returned to the Philippines, when she was also given a grand hero’s welcome at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon her arrival.
During her brief, but productive stay in the country, Alex is slated to have fanmeets, on top of her official engagements such as this dinner.
Alex is also set to go back to North America next, as she will step foot on the hard court of the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., which will begin on July 27.