Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala receives a presidential citation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., July 13, 2026 at Malacanang. MPC Pool

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ALEX EALA

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783942810060HNGmz6takAAY1Al.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala receives a presidential citation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., July 13, 2026 at Malacanang. MPC Pool"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipina tennis star Alex Eala receives a presidential citation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., July 13, 2026 at Malacanang. <em>MPC Pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday conferred a presidential citation to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala, to recognize her historic run in Wimbledon.</p><p>Eala had beaten defending champion Iga Swiatek to reach the fourth round of the grass court Grand Slam -- the first Filipina to go that far in a major.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/13/historic-wimbledon-run-fuels-even-bigger-dreams-for-alex-eala-1338">READ: Historic Wimbledon run fuels even bigger dreams for Alex Eala</a></div><p>&quot;I really, really am so happy to have you here. You cannot imagine. This is one of those occasions where I say to myself, it&#x27;s good to be President,&quot; said Marcos, who admitted that he is a big fan of the 21-year-old tennis player.</p><p>&quot;You have brought so much pride to the Philippines, to the Filipinos, and not only because of your success, but also because of the grace with which you handled that success. Because the way you play and the way you comport yourself makes us proud,&quot; he added.</p><p>&quot;You show the greatest, best qualities of Filipinos. So you remind us why we are a great race. We&#x27;re not only just happy to see one of us do so well, and do so well at this level of sport.&quot;</p><p>Marcos also said he was moved into tears seeing Eala win in the most prestigious tennis court.</p><p>&quot;After you won, we all cried. You know, this is Wimbledon. Wimbledon is about as high, there&#x27;s no higher level of professional tennis than Wimbledon,&quot; he said. </p><p>The president also addressed Eala&#x27;s parents during the reception.</p><p>&quot;But we also know, especially those of us who are involved in sporting, in a way, even tangentially, really well know, the sacrifice and what you had to go through, the commitment that you had to go through. And so, I cannot talk about your success without talking about your parents. I can just imagine the sacrifices that you made,&quot; Marcos said. </p><p>&quot;To see your girl off when she was 14 years old. I had to send my children to school when they were about that age, and I know how it feels. But yet you did it, and yet you did it because of your belief in Alex,&quot; he said.</p><p>Marcos ended his speech by praising Eala for always telling the world that she is a Filipina.</p><p>&quot;And the other thing that I have to mention is that you never fail to remind everyone that you are a Filipina. You never fail to do that,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;In the video that they just showed us, you said, I said, and you know, that&#x27;s very touching for all of us. That you don&#x27;t forget the rest of us,&quot; he added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Eala admitted being nervous speaking at the Palace reception. </p><p>&quot;I have to confess, I normally do not get very nervous when I have to talk. But today is the exception. I am pretty nervous,&quot; she said.</p><p>Eala thanked the First couple for the warm welcome. </p><p>&quot;Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be having dinner here at the Malacanang Palace next to you and be receiving such kind and genuine words. I feel very seen,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;And hearing that come from you, I feel like all the hard work that I&#x27;ve done is seen. All the hours that aren&#x27;t on TV are seen and validated and appreciated. So thank you so, so much,&quot; Eala added. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m so grateful for this recognition. I&#x27;m so grateful to be in a room filled with such amazing people. It&#x27;s so humbling to be in the presence of all of you.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/13/alex-eala-embracing-role-in-helping-unite-filipinos-amid-social-political-divisions-1417">READ: Alex Eala embracing role in helping unite Filipinos amid social, political divisions</a></div><p>Eala promised to banner to the world her Filipina identity. </p><p>&quot;It warms my heart because I know that it comes from a profound and shared love for our nation. With that being said, lubos kong ipinagmamalaki ang pagiging Pilipino. I carry the flag with me wherever I go,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;And I am a firm believer that where you come from is a big part of who you are. So like you said, Mr. President, I do my best to represent the best of our country on and off the court. Because I&#x27;m really proud and it comes from a genuine place of love,&quot; she said.</p><p>Eala returned home on Sunday after her Wimbledon campaign.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qb2IArxLWno?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday conferred a presidential citation to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala, to recognize her historic run in Wimbledon.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday conferred a presidential citation to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala, to recognize her historic run in Wimbledon.

Marcos confers presidential citation to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala

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Marcos confers presidential citation to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 13, 2026 07:42 PM PHT

|

Updated July 13, 2026 08:19 PM PHT

Read More:

Tennis

Alex Eala

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Wimbledon

Malacanang

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