MANILA -- No Filipino athlete has received a warmer homecoming this year than tennis sensation Alexandra Eala.
A day after returning to the Philippines following her historic Wimbledon campaign, she was honored with a hero's welcome at Malacañang Palace in Manila, where she received a presidential citation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
The citation recognized Eala's historic run at Wimbledon, where she became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam singles event.
"I feel very seen," Eala said during the ceremony.
"Hearing that come from you, I feel like all the hard work that I've done is seen. All the hours that aren't on TV are seen and validated and appreciated
The 21-year-old admitted she was unusually nervous as she addressed a gathering of top government officials inside the presidential palace.
"I have to confess, I normally do not get nervous when I have to talk," she said.
"But today is an exception. I'm pretty nervous.
"I'm so grateful that I am able to share my triumphs, most especially my recent run at Wimbledon, with the country. As we say, this is our victory. I cannot begin to describe how overjoyed I am to see how my progress has been received by the Filipino people."