Manila: Tennis star Alex Eala vowed to continue striving for greater success after Malaca±ang rolled out the red carpet on Monday to honor her breakthrough Wimbledon run. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred on Eala a Presidential Citation during a homecoming reception at the Palace, honoring her historic run that made her the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Eala said the recognition only fueled her desire to achieve more for the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Eala expressed feeling validated and appreciated as her hard work was acknowledged at the presidential palace's Ceremonial Hall. The 21-year-old admitted to feeling unusually nervous delivering a speech in front of the President, a rare occurrence for her. Eala emphasized the significance of her Wimbledon run, not just as a personal achievement, but as a source of inspiration for millions of Filipinos. She expressed her gratitude for being able to share her triumphs with the nation, emphasizing that her success is a collective victory for the Filipino people.

Eala promised to continue representing the Philippines with pride in the international tennis arena. Her remarkable performance at Wimbledon, where she defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek before falling to Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the Round of 16, has elevated her to a career-best No. 28 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings. However, Eala views the recognition from the Palace as a motivation to pursue even higher goals, a testament to her commitment to advancing Philippine tennis.

The recognition of Eala's dedication and achievements serves as a reminder of the potential for future accomplishments, as she continues to work hard "in the hours that aren't on TV" to achieve greater milestones in her career.