Alexandra Eala closed her 2025 tennis season with a historic achievement, capturing her first Southeast Asian Games gold medal in Bangkok. The 20-year-old Filipina defeated Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, ranked world No. 240, with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory in the women’s singles final on Thursday, 18 December.
Historic milestone
Eala’s triumph makes her the first Filipina singles player to win a SEA Games gold medal in 26 years, following Pia Tamayo in 1981 and Maricris Fernandez in 1999. This victory adds to her growing legacy as one of the Philippines’ brightest tennis stars.
Season highlights
Ranked world No. 53, Eala capped off a remarkable fortnight in Thailand. She began the Games as one of the Philippines’ co-flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony and went on to secure three medals in Bangkok:
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🥇 Gold in women’s singles
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🥉 Bronze in women’s team
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🥉 Bronze in mixed doubles
Career achievements
This latest success brings Eala’s SEA Games medal tally to six, underscoring her consistency and dominance in regional competition. Her breakthrough gold marks a defining moment in her career and signals her growing stature on the international tennis stage.
Alexandra Eala wins the Gold Medal at the SEA Games.
The first Filipina to win a Gold medal in tennis since 1999.
Look at the reaction… pure joy written on her face.
She plays to inspire her country above all else.
What a moment. 🥹
🇵🇭❤️
pic.twitter.com/SKB0DAOz3u— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 18, 2025
Alexandra Eala in 2025
LWWLWWWWWW Currently the world no.53, the Filipino played her last match on the 30th of October when she capitulated to world no.18 Victoria Mboko 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Hong Kong (draw).
This year Eala has managed to achieve a composed 40-26 record. Eala conquered 1 title in the Guadalajara. Eala was the finalist in Eastbourne.
