In an attempt to portray one of the country’s top athletes as taking sides in partisan politics, some online posts are falsely claiming that tennis star Alex Eala wore a green outfit during a recent match to signal support for Vice President Sara Duterte.
Posted by a Facebook page on Aug. 1, the untrue graphic bore a photo of the athlete in a green top while signing tennis balls during the 2026 Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C on July 29. The following text was superimposed on it: “ALEX EALA WORE GREEN FOR SARA”.
The false graphic also featured an inset of a Duterte supporter who attended the match while donning a green cap with the words “SARA ’28“.
Eala has made no public pronouncement about her outfit choice being a show of support for Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial. A review of the tennis star’s social media accounts shows mostly updates on her tennis career, not her political stance or affiliations.
In an interview published on July 30, Eala shared that she did not have a say in the selection of her outfit’s color during the hard-court swing. “But they did give me the options and that’s the one I chose for this week. So I’m glad everyone likes it,” the Filipino tennis ace noted.
Eala’s attire, including the tennis cap, was prominently adorned with the logos of the sports brand Nike, for whom she serves as a global ambassador, as well as Globe and the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Eala has yet to issue a statement addressing such claims linking her to the vice president.
The Filipina athlete wore the same ensemble of a green shirt, skirt and visor when she defeated four major opponents at the DC Open: China’s Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, Canadian former DC Open champion Leylah Fernandez, Ukrainian veteran world No. 10 Elina Svitolina and Japan’s former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka.
Eala donned the same outfit in the tournament’s final match, where she secured her first Women’s Tennis Association singles crown after overpowering the American world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.
Following her historic Mubadala DC Open title, the 21-year-old champion propelled to a career-high world No. 20 in the WTA singles rankings, as of Aug. 4.
VERA Files previously debunked other disinformation that has followed Eala throughout her 2026 season thus far.
- FACT CHECK: Hontiveros did NOT ask Alex Eala for LGBT advocacy endorsement
- FACT CHECK: Alex Eala speech moving BBM to tears is FAKE
- FACT CHECK: NO multi-billion dollar contract offered to Alex Eala in UAE
- FACT CHECK: Mel Tiangco did NOT insult Alex Eala
The fraudulent posts by FB page Box Score PH (created on June 14, 2021) and an FB user have collectively garnered over 2,700 reactions; 820 comments and 70 shares. Meanwhile, a copy on Threads received fewer engagements.
