Philippines' Alexandra Eala reacts as she plays against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 1, 2025. Glyn Kirk, AFP/File
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal sent a congratulatory message to Alex Eala after the Filipina's historic win in the 2025 Guadalajara 125 Open on Saturday in Mexico (early Sunday in Manila).
Eala had claimed her first WTA 125 trophy in the event, outlasting Hungary's Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
"Congrats, Alex Eala, on your first WTA (trophy)," the 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "I am happy and proud of what you are achieving for yourself and for the Philippines."
EMBED -- https://x.com/RafaelNadal/status/1964607040514641957
READ: Alex Eala outlasts Udvardy to rule Guadalajara 125 Open
Eala trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, graduating from there in 2023.
The 20-year-old tennis star also received a message from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who wrote on his Facebook page that "history has been written" by Eala.
"Ang iyong tagumpay ay tagumpay ng buong bansa. Gagawin natin ang lahat upang mas marami pang atletang Pilipino ang susunod sa yapak na ito at maipakita sa mundo ang galing at puso ng Pilipino," the Philippine president said.
Eala had to overcome a poor start against Udvardy before taking charge in the third set en route to her first trophy in a WTA-level event.
After her triumph in Guadalajara, Eala will compete in the Sao Paulo Open Courts in Brazil, where she is the third seed. The WTA 250 event starts on September 8.
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