By Emile Blanc
MANILA — Filipina tennis rising star Alexandra “Alex” Eala once again drew international attention, not only for her growing presence in the sport but also for her humility, sportsmanship, and graceful demeanor off the court.
The Quezon City native proudly carried the Philippine flag at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, where she joined some of the world’s biggest sports personalities on one of athletics’ most prestigious stages. Her red carpet appearance was warmly received by fans worldwide, particularly Filipinos who continue to rally behind her as a national sports icon.
Often referred to as the “Oscars of Sports,” the Laureus Awards honor excellence and achievement across the global sporting landscape.
Eala, who turns 21 on May 23, made a striking appearance at the Palacio de Cibeles, wearing a Filipino-inspired gown designed by her uncle, renowned fashion designer Rhett Eala. Her elegant look stood out during the high-profile evening in Spain’s capital.
The event gathered an elite mix of athletes from different disciplines, reinforcing its global prestige.
Tennis superstars Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Novak Djokovic were among the headliners, alongside emerging talents such as Eala, Jannik Sinner, and Camila Osorio.
Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year, while Sabalenka claimed the Sportswoman of the Year honor.
The ceremony was hosted by Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, together with Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu.
Beyond tennis, the gathering also featured prominent figures from other sports, including footballers Toni Kroos and Lamine Yamal, golf star Rory McIlroy, Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim, and Paralympic swimming standout Gabriel Araújo.
Sports legends and Laureus ambassadors such as Nadia Comăneci, Lindsey Vonn, Simone Biles, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and André Villas-Boas also graced the event.
Following her appearance in Madrid, Eala now turns her attention back to competition as she begins her Madrid Open campaign against Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova later today, Wednesday (22 April 2026).
elami/