Alexandra Eala makes more history as she wins first gold in 26 years for the Philippines in Southeast Asian Games

It is golden glory for Alexandra Eala, who defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-2, 6-1 to win women's singles tennis gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games. In doing so, she has ended a 26-year wait for gold in the women's singles category.

The Filipina is a rising star in the country, having already broken a number of barriers in her short career on court. The 20-year-old looks to continue in the rich vein of form she has been in all season as she culminates a stunning 2026 campaign by standing on top of the podium.

After getting the better of Naklo Thasaporn 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-finals, she has already gone a step further than in her debut campaign where she departed at this stage, going on to clinch bronze. It would be one of three bronze medals she won in Vietnam back in 2021, also helping claim mixed doubles and team bronze. However, this would get an automatic upgrade. The question is what colour.

Her opponent in the final, Sawangkaew, was not someone to take lightly, despite Eala's quality. The 23-year-old from Thailand was looking to bring gold home for her country. She had previously risen as high as world number 100 back in June with three ITF titles and a Challenger final under her belt. However, she has experienced a sharp drop down the rankings for the remainder of the year, currently sitting as world number 240. She caused an upset in the semi-final, defeating world number 54 Janice Tjen after the Indonesian retired due to breathing difficulties.

Eala was looking to upset the home hero and got some added motivation from the Rafael Nadal Academy. She had trained there in the past, gaining valuable experience to become player she now is. She has even had a rally with the 20-time Grand Slam winner himself in the past, a testament to her rapid rise. In an Instagram post, they celebrated Eala's achievement to reach the final. "Proud of Alexandra Eala at the SEA Games Thailand 2025. Congratulations on reaching the singles final after an outstanding performance throughout the tournament," it wrote.

It was a dominant performance from Eala, oozing class throughout while her opponent struggled to keep pace. It was not as easy as it looked on paper. There were a number of deuces throughout in which Eala managed to come out on top of. Along with that, there were a number of really poor calls from the line judges. One in particular was messing up numerous times. In the second set after a third dubious decision, Eala asked for him to be replaced.

Despite all of this, she would seal the deal when a wild forehand from Sawangkaew sailed out. Eala was ecstatic, putting her hands to her head in disbelief of the achievement she just did. Eala would then celebrate jubilantly with her family and team members, overjoyed after another big win.

The women's singles event has been dominated by Indonesia and Thailand, with seven and four titles being won respectively. However, for the first time in 26 years a Filipina stands on top of everyone. Eala proudly follows in the footsteps of Maricris Fernandez who last won for the Philippines in 1999, and Pia Tamayo in 1981.

It is also the first singles gold for any gender since 2009 when Cecil Mamiit completed a three-peat of titles. Overall, Eala has confirmed Philippines eighth singles title in the event, a proud and historic day for the country and of course Eala, who ends her breakout season with a bang.