President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed tennis star Alex Eala at a homecoming reception at the Malacañang following her historic run at Wimbledon in London, where she became the first Filipino to smash through to the round of 16 in a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Marcos commended Eala on her performance and conduct—for displaying the “best qualities” in Filipinos.

“The way you play, and the way you comport yourself makes us proud, because you show the greatest, best qualities of Filipinos. So you remind us why we are a great race,” he said in a speech.

The President expressed gratitude to Eala’s parents, for the sacrifices they have had to make for their daughter.

Moreover, he recounted that when people would ask him about his thoughts on Eala back when she was still an emerging talent, his singular response would be that “She’s just getting started.”

“And you know what? You proved me right,” he said.

Marcos added that her focus and commitment to the sport is a mark of a “true fighter, a true champion,” and lauded how she took pride in being Filipina.

“You never fail to remind everyone that you are a Filipina. You never fail to do that. Somehow, always, nasisingit mo. And you know, that is very touching for all of us,” he told her.

“You don’t forget the rest of us, you don’t think that, somehow, (you’ve) left it all behind. Quite the contrary. You always seem to give the impression that it is because you are a Filipina that you are doing so well, and we sincerely agree with you,” the President said.

He reassured her that the entire nation, who has come to love her perseverance, “sweetness and grace,” is backing her every step of the way.

“Know we are all behind you… the entire Filipino nation is behind you. The entire Filipino nation has come to love you because of your sweetness and grace. In the face of difficulty… you never lost your cool, you just kept going,” he said.