Senate honors Alex Eala for historic 2026 Mubadala DC Open tennis victory

The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution to honor Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala for her historic win at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, which brought the country its first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 win.

The senators sang praises of Eala, with almost half of the chamber filing their respective resolutions to honor her. The Senate unanimously voted to ratify Senate Resolution No. 554,

“Alex Eala has blazed a new trail for Philippine tennis. For the athletes who will follow in her footsteps, the dream of competing against the world’s best in tennis is no longer a distant possibility. Alex has shown all of us that the Filipina can stand among giants and prevail,” Senate President Win Gatchalian said in his sponsorship speech.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also lauded Eala, saying that she has taken the world by storm.

“She has been training for this since she first took up her racquet at four years old. With a network of support behind her, from her family to her mentors at the Rafa Nadal Academy, she has steadily and diligently made a name for herself—and now she emerges as a lethal force in tennis, winning against impossible odds, and taking the first major tennis title for the Philippines,” Zubiri said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Robin Padilla said that Eala was able to open a door that many thought was closed. Eala is in the ranks of Filipino athletes such as Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo and more.

Padilla also said that it was the government’s job to advance the physical education of students and to encourage the youth to engage in sports, which included training them in international sports.

Senators Raffy Tulfo, Bong Go, JV Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Pia Cayetano also lauded Eala during their speeches, with senators Kiko Pangilinan and Camille Villar opting to insert their speeches into the records.

Eala is currently set to compete in the Canadian Open, where she is to fight Alycia Parks in her first match.

READ: Alex Eala to begin Canadian Open run against Alycia Parks

READ: Alex Eala's WTA title at DC Open 2026 lauded by House of Representatives

–NB, GMA News