Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts against Clara Tauson of Denmark during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sarah Stier, Getty Images/AFP
MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined the chorus of people congratulating Filipina tennis star Alex Eala for her historic triumph in the US Open in New York.
The 20-year-old Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a singles match in a Grand Slam after a thrilling 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) victory over Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson on Sunday (early Monday in Manila).
READ: Alex Eala 'over the moon' after bagging historic first at US Open
"She's only getting started! Congratulations, Alex!" Marcos posted on his Instagram story, accompanying Eala's photo.
"Kasama mo ang buong Pilipinas sa bawat laban mo. Sama-sama naming isisigaw sa mundo ang galing ng Pilipino!" he added.
Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulates Alex Eala on her US Open win. IG Stories/MarcosIt was a hard-earned triumph for Eala, who dealt with a shoulder injury in the lead-up to the US Open and then trailed 1-5 in the deciding third set before producing a stirring comeback.
The victory over Tauson is the latest in a series of impressive results for Eala, who had a memorable run to the semifinals of the Miami Open in March that saw her beat a handful of Grand Slam champions -- including former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
"I'm super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third," Eala said after the match. "It's a very special win for me."
"I'm so blessed to be the first to do this," she added. "I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself, and it adds meaning to what I do."