‘110M-strong support’: Marcos lauds Eala’s impressive rise in tennis

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday showered Filipino tennis star Alex Eala with praise, saying she reminds Filipinos of “what a great race” they are.

Eala, who climbed to World No. 28 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association rankings, received a homecoming reception at Malacañang Palace.

Marcos’ admiration for the 21-year-old athlete was evident in his speech as he congratulated Eala for representing the Philippines well on the global tennis stage. He added that all 110 million Filipinos around the world are always supporting her.

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READ: Eala returns home to hero’s welcome

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“I’m a fan, so I’m gushing. Okay, I’m sorry. I’m a real fan of yours,” the President said.

“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,” he also said.

Marcos also lauded Eala’s abilities and expressed optimism about her future, recalling how she won the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles title with her Indonesian partner, Priska Madelyn Nugroho, when she was only 14 years old.

READ: Alex Eala rises to career best No. 28 in WTA rankings

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“Alex, when you first started winning, people were starting to take notice of you. I was asked, what do you think about Alex Eala doing so well? And my single comment was that he’s just getting started. And you know what? You proved me right. Thank you. You proved me right,” he said.

“Of a true fighter, a true champion. The way that you can keep your concentration, the way that you can keep your commitment. And that, I think, that is one of the qualities that you have,” the President also said.

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A vow of support

Marcos assured Eala that the government is always behind her.

“We are all here. We are all behind you. When you’re in some faraway place, and maybe your friends or the Filipino community cannot all come and watch you, know, know that we are all there behind you,” he said.

“Sige lang. Go, go. Go, girl. We’re all behind you. The entire Filipino nation is behind you. The entire Filipino nation has come to love you because of your sweetness and grace,” the President added.

“If there’s anything that we can do to help you, even for a just say-so, you have it,” he also said.

He further celebrated Eala’s professionalism, which he said was one of the main reasons behind her success in sports.

“That is why you have been so successful. Because, okay, you know, when you win a big match, when you get to, you win a big tournament, you know, you allow yourself to be happy for three minutes. And then you start thinking. You’re thinking about your next match. You’re thinking about your next tournament. And that is a sign of true professionalism,” he said.

“And for that, that really is impressive. And for such a young girl, I mean, you’re 21 years old,” he added.

A nation watching

In what appeared to be a reference to boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, Marcos said Filipinos also seemed to stop their activities whenever Eala played.

“The hospitals around the world stopped when you play. The caregivers kept up, they didn’t let their kids sleep because they were watching Alex Eala. Everywhere around the world, they’ve been watching you, been willing you on,” he said.

“And we have been so proud, so proud. You cannot imagine how much pride that you have brought to the Philippines, to Filipinos.  Because when we’re proud of you, when we see one of ours doing so well, we’re proud of ourselves,” Marcos added.

A true Filipina

Furthermore, Marcos commended Eala for always embodying her nationality on the world stage.

“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. Somehow, always,” he said,

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“A champion who has made the Philippines proud. Who has reminded Filipinos what a great race Filipinos are. Because we produce someone like you. And that the qualities that you show the world are the best qualities of Filipinos. And for that, as president, I guess, that’s what really strikes me. But on the other hand, you do it with such grace,” he continued. /cb