By NIKOLE JAVIER
Tennis princess Alex Eala has been making rounds on social media after her historic US Open Juniors conquest in New York on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
The recognition has not stopped since she became the first Filipino netter to win a Grand Slam event.
Though less grander when weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last year, Eala’s triumph was nonetheless celebrated by everybody – President Bongbong Marcos included.
Screaming headlines came out the following day with Tempo declaring Eala as PH “Crown Princess” in sports and Bulletin affirming her status as the “Next Big Star.”
Playing before an excited Filipino crowd – some, however were tight and edgy – Eala did not disappoint as she produced one magical shot after another to hack out an awesome 6-2, 6-4 win over Czech No. 2 seed Lucie Havlickova.
Even her tennis club, the Rafael Nadal Academy was in awe of the big celebrations in the country.
Even Nadal himself was delighted with Eala’s breakthrough win.
Apart from PBBM, her uncle, the Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and several politicians that included 1Pacman Representative Mikee Romero congratulated the tennis princess.
Her championship run has also been plastered all over the billboards in the Metro.
LINKS:
Eala at Arthur Ashe https://www.instagram.com/p/CiareLpAkUr/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
RNA post
WTA post
BBM post
