# ‘Our new champion’: Philippines swept up in tennis fever after Alex Eala’s historic win

https://mins.news/en/item/13591

- The Guardian, 2026-08-05 02:10 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/05/alex-eala-philippines-tennis-fever

> The Philippines has been caught up in a surge of tennis enthusiasm after 21-year-old rising star Alex Eala secured a historic victory. Eala became the first player from the country to win a Women’s Tennis Association Tour-level singles title. The achievement drew praise from the president, who hosted a reception in her honor. Interest in the sport is now rising across her home country.

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