Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has brought pride to the Philippines in more ways than one, making “herstory” nearly every time she steps on the court.

Eala’s latest achievement shined the brightest and hit closer to home, as she ended the country’s gold medal drought in women’s singles tennis at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The 20-year-old delivered the country’s first gold since 1999 on Thursday, December 18, after a masterclass against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2.

Eala turned emotional as she heard the Philippine national anthem being played in front of her family, friends, teammates and an electric Filipino crowd.

“I think ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-nakakaiyak sa akin, is when they play Lupang Hinirang or any like the national anthem. Matagal ko nang pinapangarap ‘yun na ako ‘yung makakadala ng ganung pride sa Pilipinas. So I’m so thankful, and I’m so humbled to be representing the Philippines,” she told Philippine Olympic Committee Media.

Despite having numerous achievements at the professional level, Eala said getting the SEA Games gold hits different.

The 20-year-old even shared her golden achievement with her parents Mike and Rizza, the latter being a 1985 SEA Games bronze medalist in 1985, also held in Thailand.

“It’s unique, and it doesn’t happen every time, so kaya siya ganung ka-importante at kahalaga sa aming pamilya,” Eala added.

Before the SEA Games, Eala has been having a breakout year in the 2025 WTA season: her first WTA final, reaching the Miami Open semis and winning her first WTA 125 title.

“In my mind, this is the start of the next season. I mean, to end the year on this high is such an amazing thing. I wouldn’t think it would happen at the end of the year,” she said.

For now, the 20-year-old will take some time to enjoy her achievement before getting back to training and preparing for the Australian Open in January 2025. (ABS-CBN News)