Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has ended the Philippines' long wait for a gold medal in women's singles tennis at the SEA Games, delivering a masterclass performance on Thursday, December 19, 2025. The 20-year-old prodigy decisively defeated Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew with a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the finals held at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi.
A Historic Victory After 26 Years
This monumental win marks the first gold medal for the Philippines in the women's singles event since Maricris Fernandez-Gentz's triumph in 1999, breaking a 26-year drought. As the tournament's top seed and currently ranked 52nd in the world, Eala lived up to the expectations, showcasing her skill and composure on the court to secure her maiden SEA Games gold.
Dominance on the Court
Eala started the match with incredible intensity. In a stunning display of resilience, she fought back from a precarious 0-40 deficit in the opening set to seize a commanding 3-0 lead. Although Sawangkaew managed to get on the board, making it 3-1, Eala's momentum was unstoppable. She powered through the next three consecutive games to wrap up the first set convincingly.
The second set presented a different challenge, testing Eala's mental fortitude. The Filipina athlete raised concerns over several line calls, leading to the umpire ordering the replay of three points that had been incorrectly awarded to her Thai opponent. The situation escalated to the point where the linesman was replaced.
Overcoming Adversity to Seal the Win
Following the official change, a more determined Sawangkaew broke Eala's serve, leveling the score at 2-all. However, Eala demonstrated why she is a champion, immediately breaking back in the next game. The pressure mounted on the home bet, who committed a critical double fault, handing Eala a 3-2 advantage.
From there, Eala never looked back. She broke Sawangkaew's serve once more to move within one game of the gold at 5-2, before closing out the match and etching her name in Philippine sports history. "To end the year on this high is such an amazing thing. I wouldn't have thought it would happen at the start of the year," an elated Eala shared after her victory.
This gold medal caps off a successful SEA Games 2025 campaign for Eala, who also earned two bronze medals from the mixed doubles and team events. Her performance not only brings glory to the nation but also signals a bright future for Philippine tennis on the international stage.
