Filipina tennis star Alex Eala celebrates after winning the gold medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 18, 2025. POC Media
NONTHABURI – Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has brought pride to the Philippines in more ways than one, making 'herstory' nearly every time she steps on the court.
Eala's latest achievement shined the brightest and hit closer to home, as she ended the country's gold medal drought in women's singles tennis at the Southeast Asian Games.
The 20-year-old delivered the country's first gold since 1999 on Thursday, after a masterclass against Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2.
Eala turned emotional as she heard the Philippine national anthem being played in front of her family, friends, teammates and an electric Filipino crowd.
"I think yun yung pinaka nakakaiyak sa akin, is when they play Lupang Hinirang or any like the national anthem. Matagal ko nang pinapangarap yun na ako yung makakadala ng ganung pride sa Pilipinas. So I'm so thankful and I'm so humbled to be representing the Philippines," she told Philippine Olympic Committee Media.
SEA Games: Alex Eala dominates Thai foe, nets PH's first women's singles gold in 26 years
Despite having numerous achievements on the professional level, Eala said getting the SEA Games gold hits different.
"I think this is a whole 'nother category, You know, playing with the country written on your back is you know, and playing in team events brings a different sort of pressure. So I'm happy with how I handled it," the Filipina tennis star said.
"Ibang feeling talaga yung kapaligid mo yung iyong mga kababayan," she added
The 20-year-old even shared her golden achievement with her parents Mike and Rizza, the latter being a 1985 SEA Games bronze medalist in 1985, also held in Thailand.
"It's so special. I think, yun nga, I've said many times before yung mga Pinoy we're so family-oriented. I think that's a part of our culture and you know, SEA Games is something... I think, it's very different than the Tour because it's very personal to us, personal to the Southeast Asian countries and it's special in that way," she said.
"It's unique and it doesn't happen every time so kaya siya ganung ka-importante at kahalaga sa aming pamilya," Eala added.
SEAG: Eala, Alcantara bow to Thai foes, settle for tennis mixed doubles bronze
Before the SEA Games, Eala has been having a breakout year in the 2025 WTA season: her first WTA final, reaching the Miami Open semis and winning her first WTA 125 title.
"In my mind this is the start of the next season. I mean, to end the year on this high, is such an amazing thing. I wouldn't think it would happen at the end of the year," she said.
For now, the 20-year-old with take some time to enjoy her achievement before getting back to training and preparing for the Australian Open in January 2025.