Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala has made history by securing the Philippines' first gold medal in tennis singles at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 26 years. The 20-year-old prodigy delivered a dominant performance on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to claim the top spot on the podium in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
A Commanding Victory on the Court
Eala showcased her superior skill and composure in the gold medal match, overpowering hometown favorite Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand. The final scoreline of 6-1, 6-2 reflected her control throughout the contest held at the National Tennis Development Center. This victory was not just a personal triumph but a monumental moment for Philippine sports.
Joining an Elite Group of Champions
With this win, Alex Eala etches her name alongside Philippine tennis legends. She becomes only the third Filipina to ever win the women's singles gold at the SEA Games. She joins Pia Tamayo, who won at the 1981 Manila Games, and Maricris Fernandez-Gentz, who was the last to achieve the feat back in 1999 in Brunei.
For the entire Philippine team, the drought in tennis singles gold was even longer. The last champion before Eala was Cecil Mamiit in the men's division, who completed a "three-peat" in 2009.
Capping a Breakthrough Year
This SEA Games gold serves as a perfect finale to a spectacular year for Eala. Her 2025 campaign began with a dream run to the semifinals of the Miami Open, where she defeated three Grand Slam champions. This remarkable feat earned her direct entry into the main draws of the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, where she secured her first-ever Grand Slam main draw victory.
The graduate of the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy also celebrated her maiden Women's Tennis Association (WTA) title at the Guadalajara 125 Open in September. Her consistent performances propelled her to a career-high world ranking of No. 50 just last month. Currently ranked world No. 52, Eala concluded her SEA Games campaign with a total of three medals: one gold and two bronze from the mixed doubles and team events.
"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 said after her victory. Her golden win in Thailand not only breaks a long-standing drought but also signals the arrival of a new era for Philippine tennis on the international stage.
