All news tagged GuadalajaraOpen

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed Senate Resolution No. 117, commending Filipina tennis star Alex Eala for her maiden Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title at the Guadalajara 125 Open. 

Senator Go highlighted Eala’s victory as a testament to discipline, resilience, and excellence—qualities that uplift national pride and inspire young Filipino athletes.

Go’s resolution emphasized that Eala’s triumph goes beyond personal achievement, reflecting the capacity of Filipinos to excel globally when given support and opportunity. 

He anchored the resolution on the Philippine Constitution’s mandate to promote sports, citing Article XIV, Section 19.

In his remarks, Go praised Eala’s come-from-behind win over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, and her consistent display of the “indomitable Filipino competitive spirit.” 

He said Eala’s feat is both a career milestone and a rallying point for national pride.

Go further underscored the need for sustained investment in sports. He spotlighted the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored, and pushed for its regional expansion through Senate Bill No. 171. 

He also filed bills to enhance incentives for para-athletes, institutionalize grassroots and collegiate sports competitions, and improve sports facilities nationwide.

Since becoming Senate Committee on Sports chair in 2019, Go has championed Philippine sports, supporting facility improvements and athlete development. 

He noted this era has seen historic achievements, including the country’s first Olympic gold and twin golds at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

By filing the resolution, Go seeks to honor Eala and reaffirm the vital role of sports in national development, situating her triumph within the broader context of Philippine athletic progress.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal was quick to congratulate Filipina star Alex Eala after her breakthrough WTA title win at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico. 

Nadal, who posted his message on X (formerly Twitter), praised Eala’s achievement and her impact on Philippine tennis.

“Congrats @AlexEala05 for your first WTA (trophy). I am happy and proud of what you are achieving for yourself and for the Philippines,” wrote Nadal.

Eala, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, rallied to defeat Hungary’s Panna Udvardy and claim her first WTA crown—the first ever for a Filipina. 

Meanwhile, the Filipina tennis star Alex Eala continued her steady climb in the world rankings, moving up to No. 61 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings ahead of her campaign in the WTA 250 São Paulo Open in Brazil.

The 20-year-old lefty, seeded third in the tournament, opened against French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri (WTA No. 380) in a match today.

Eala jumped 14 places from her previous rank of No. 75 following her historic breakthrough in Mexico, where she captured her and the Philippines’ first-ever WTA crown by rallying past Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the Guadalajara 125 final.

Her momentum also came from a memorable debut main-draw victory at the US Open, where she stunned World No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). That result marked her first Grand Slam singles win after featuring in all four majors this season.

Eala’s latest ranking puts her on course to surpass her career-best No. 56, which she reached in June after a runner-up finish at the Eastbourne Open.

Following her Brazil stint, Eala is expected to join tournaments in Asia as part of her buildup for a possible return to the Philippine team in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December. 

She previously won three bronze medals in the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi but skipped the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh.

Fresh off her historic WTA victory in Guadalajara, Alex Eala is set to headline the São Paulo Open in Brazil. 

The No. 3 seed, now ranked 61st in the world, opens against French qualifier Yasmine Mansouri. A win will pit her against either Argentina’s Julia Riera or Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko in the next round.

Eala made history last week by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA title, defeating Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in a thrilling final. 

Her recent success follows a strong US Open run and has boosted her prize money earnings to over P15 million this season.

With momentum on her side, Eala is eyeing back-to-back titles as she continues her impressive rise on the tour.

Meanwhile, the retired former No. 1 Spanish player Rafael Nadal, lauded Eala’s achievement for clinching her first-ever WTA title.

“Congrats @AlexEala05 for your first WTA (trophy). I am happy and proud of what you are achieving for yourself and for the Philippines,” wrote Nadal on X (formerly Twitter).

It can be recalled that the Filipina ace started her journey at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she is an alumnae. She has also been continuously training at the academy in her pro career.