Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Resolution No. 564 congratulating and commending Filipina tennis star Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala for capturing the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, becoming the first Filipino professional tennis player to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 Tour singles title.
The resolution recognizes Eala’s latest historic achievement after she defeated an elite field on her way to the championship, including 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, World No. 10 Elina Svitolina, four-time Grand Slam singles champion and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka, and World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set final.
The victory propelled Eala to a career-high World No. 20, making her the highest-ranked Filipina WTA tennis player in history and further cementing her place among the world’s top tennis players.
‘Vamos, Alex! Ang tagumpay mo ay patunay na world-class ang atletang Pilipino. Isa ka nang kampeon, ngunit naniniwala akong marami ka pang maaabot. Pag lumago, hindi na hihinto. Patuloy kang mangarap, magsikap, at ipagmalaki ang Pilipinas sa bawat laban,’ Villar said.
The senator said Eala’s remarkable rise is a testament to years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance, adding that her achievements have inspired a new generation of Filipinos to believe that they, too, can compete with the world’s best.
At just 21 years old, Eala has already rewritten Philippine tennis history. She became the country’s first Grand Slam junior singles champion in 2022, the first Filipino in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match, an Asian Games medalist, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, and now the nation’s first WTA Tour singles champion.
Villar also praised Eala’s character, saying her humility and grace have made her an exceptional role model beyond the tennis court.
‘Ang higit na kahanga-hanga kay Alex ay ang kanyang karakter. Sa bawat panayam at pagharap sa publiko, makikita ang kanyang kababaang-loob, paggalang sa kanyang mga katunggali, at pagmamalaki sa Pilipinas. Patunay ito na isa siyang huwarang atleta at mabuting mamamayan,’ Villar said.
The senator also expressed confidence that Eala’s historic breakthrough is only the beginning of an even brighter career.
‘Napakarami mo nang naabot, ngunit naniniwala akong simula pa lamang ito. Inaasahan naming mas marami ka pang maipapanalong titulo at, balang araw, maiuwi mo rin ang isang Grand Slam championship para sa Pilipinas. Ang buong sambayanang Pilipino ay nasa likod mo at ipinagmamalaki ang bawat tagumpay na iyong nakakamit. Congratulations, Alex, at vamos!’ Senator Villar concluded.