Despite being only 20 years old, Alex Eala is already one of the most accomplished players in Filipino tennis history.
Eala, who advanced to the Dubai Championships quarter-finals on Wednesday after beating Sorana Cirstea, recently became the first Filipina in tennis history to break into the WTA top 40.
Last year, she also became the first Filipina to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam after beating Clara Tauson at the US Open, and the first Filipina to capture the SEA Games gold medal for women’s singles since Maricris Fernandez in 1999.
Her efforts have now been recognised by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, who have named Eala their Co-Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo.
Alex Eala says she is ‘honoured’ to be named the Philippine Sportswriters Association Co-Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo
As reported by the Manila Times, Eala was recognised on Monday as the Philippine Sportswriters Association 2025 Co-Athlete of the Year alongside gymnast Carlos Yulo at the PSA Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
Eala was not able to attend the event due to her participation in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“Good evening everyone,” Eala said, as per the Inquirer. “I truly regret not being able to be there tonight. However, I am truly honoured to be named the PSA Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo.
First of all, congratulations Carlos. It’s a great honour to be with you in this award. I also want to thank my family, my team, and all Filipinos for their tireless support.
“This award means so much to me as it serves as a reflection of how far tennis has come in our country, so thank you very, very much for their recognition and congratulations to all the other awardees tonight.”
Yulo, an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, also won the award in 2024.
| PSA Athlete of the Year | Year | Sport |
| Alexandra Eala and Carlos Yulo | 2025 | Tennis/Gymnastics |
| Carlos Yulo | 2024 | Gymnastics |
| EJ Obiena | 2023 | Track and Field |
| Hidilyn Diaz | 2022 | Weightlifting |
| Hidilyn Diaz | 2021 | Weightlifting |
The award was first launched in 1976 and was won by Rafael ‘Paeng’ Nepomuceno: a six-time world bowling champion.
Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, has won the award four times: in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008.
Who is Carlos Yulo?
Carlos Yulo, 26, is a Filipino gymnastics world champion who has also won multiple Olympic gold medals.
Yulo, who hails from Manila, became the first Filipino gymnastics world champion in 2019 and the first male Filipino Olympic champion at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hidilyn Diaz, who won the PSA Athlete of the Year award in 2021 and 2022, became the first Filipino in history to win an Olympic gold medal after winning the women’s 55 kg weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
In world championship events, Yulo has won three gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals.
At the 2024 Olympics, Yulo won gold medals in the floor exercise and vault events.
After winning the 2025 PSA Athlete of the Year award, Yulo expressed his desire to meet Eala once again after their previous encounter before the 2024 Summer Olympics.
As per Sports News Philippines, Yulo said: “I met her [Eala] before the Olympics. After that, of course, she has been super busy.
“I’m super excited to meet her soon and get advice from her.”