Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women's singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn, Getty Images/AFP
MANILA -- Congratulations poured in for Filipina tennis star Alex Eala after her breakthrough victory in the Mubadala DC Open, which saw her defeat American top seed Jessica Pegula in the final.
After a lengthy rain delay that forced their match to be postponed to Monday (early Tuesday in Manila), Eala overturned a one-set deficit and stunned Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, for her first WTA championship.
READ: Alex Eala turns back Pegula, makes history with DC Open title
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Eala on social media, hailing her latest historic achievement.
"You continue to redefine what is possible for Philippine tennis and inspire countless young Filipinos to dream without limits," said Marcos Jr.
"Kasama mo ang sambayanang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng panibagong tagumpay na ito," Marcos added. "Mabuhay ka, Alex!"
Marcos had conferred a presidential citation to Eala last July, when the Filipina star returned to the country for a brief visit after her Wimbledon campaign.
There, she reached the fourth round, becoming the first Filipina to progress that far in a Grand Slam.
Also praising Eala is tennis icon Rafael Nadal, who celebrated the Filipina's "incredible week in Washington" in a post on X.
"A well-deserved [trophy] for all the hard work," he added. "Congratulations to the [Philippines] and to the entire Rafa Nadal Academy team!"
Eala has been training at the Rafa Nadal Academy since she was 13 years old, graduating there in 2023.
Fellow Filipino athlete EJ Obiena shared highlights of Eala's win on his Instagram stories, applauding the sensational result.
WATCH PARTY IN MANILA
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena congratulates Alex Eala on her triumph at the DC Open. IG/ernestobienapv
Meanwhile, a group of Filipino tennis fans gathered at a resto pub in Pasig City for a live viewing of the DC Open final.
They erupted in cheers and applause at around 1:00 a.m. after Eala secured the victory.
"Tensyonado kami kahapon pa nag-pause kasi na-cut, kaya sabi ko ay makakapagpahinga si Alex. Na-beat niya yung mga Olympians. Kaya all the way support kay Alex. Kung nasa States lang ako, nasa unahan ako," said Robin Meneses, one of the attendees.
Meneses described the victory as one of the positive developments currently happening in the country.
"One of the positive things that happening right now sa country natin, kahit maraming nangyayari. Happy ang lahat ng mga Pinoy. Parang ngayon lahat ng Pinoy mahilig sa tennis aside sa boxing ang pageantry," said Meneses.
A group of lawyers had just come from working overtime and happened to stop for a meal in time to watch Eala's finals match.
They were confident that Eala would emerge victorious, and called her an inspiration to all Filipinos.
"Sobrang nakaka-proud na nakikita namin na nagdo-dominate ang mga Pilipina lalo na sa sports at lalo na sa ibang bansa pa. We are here to support you, keep shining!" said lawyer Gwynith Matubis.