Alex Eala returns a shot against Jessica Pegula during their match on Day 10 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — A resolution congratulating tennis rising star Alex Eala for her stellar performance at the 2025 Miami Open has been filed in the Senate, Senator Joel Villanueva said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Villanueva confirmed that he filed Senate Resolution No. 1330 on March 25, after Eala reached the semifinals of the tournament.
“Alex’s achievement serves as an inspiration to young athletes across the country and proves that with hard work and perseverance, Filipinos can compete and triumph on the world stage,” Villanueva said.
“Our national athletes are starting to make a mark on the world stage, which is why we need to invest in them,” the senator emphasized.
In the resolution, the senator acknowledged Eala’s historic run, entering the event ranked 140th according to the World Tennis Association, to eventually getting the 75th spot after beating higher-ranked athletes.
Eala’s Cinderella story includes an upset of Polish world number two Iga Swiatek on Thursday (Manila time), booking a spot in the semifinals.
READ: Alex Eala knocks world No. 2 Iga Swiatek out of Miami Open
The 19-year-old Filipina athlete bowed out of the competition in the semifinal game against fourth-ranked Jessica Pegula of the United States.
But her historic run was recognized by a lot of Filipinos as well as foreign analysts and observers.
READ: PH athletes hail Alex Eala: ‘You won the hearts of the world’
READ: Alex Eala rises to world No. 75 in WTA rankings
“With her semifinal finish at the 2025 Miami Open, Eala has matched the best result achieved by a wild card at the tournament since its establishment in 1985,” Villanueva’s resolution read.
“Ranked 140th entering the Miami Open, Eala has risen to World No. 75 as of the end of March 2025, making her the highest-ranked Filipina singles player in tennis history and the first to make it to the Top 100 of the WTA rankings,” it noted.
“Eala’s milestones at the 2025 Miami Open has etched her name in history,” the resolution stated.
“Her achievements serve as an inspiration to all young athletes across the country and prove that with hard work and perseverance, Filipinos can compete and triumph on the world stage,” it added.
In November 2022, the Senate also adopted a resolution lauding Alex Eala for being the first Filipino to clinch a tennis Grand Slam singles title.
READ: Senate adopts reso lauding Alex Eala for winning US Open girls title
Back then, as Senate majority leader, it was also Villanueva who sponsored the resolution.
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The lawmaker is a former national athlete in basketball.
