Alex Eala Forgoes Mandatory WTA Event for Asian Games
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The Filipina star skipped the China Open to represent her country in Japan, risking fines and ranking points to pursue Olympic qualification.
Alex Eala, the highest-ranked Southeast Asian player in WTA history, opted to skip the mandatory China Open starting September 28 to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as Sports Illustrated first reported.
By skipping the WTA 1000 tournament, the 21-year-old faces a potential $10,000 fine and a 52-week period during which she cannot earn ranking points, a penalty that would end her qualification race for the 2026 WTA Finals, Sports Illustrated reports. Eala told SNTV that while the decision was difficult, she wanted to represent her country and experience camaraderie with the Philippine team.
Beyond national pride, Sports Illustrated notes that winning gold at the Asian Games would have guaranteed Eala a spot at the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles. Eala described competing in the Olympics as a "dream."
Eala's performance at the games included a bronze medal. In the singles tournament, she defeated Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej (6-1, 6-0) and Chinese Taipei's Joanna Garland (7-5, 6-0). However, her bid for gold ended in a three-set loss (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) to China's Wang Xiyu, Sports Illustrated reports.
In women's doubles, Eala partnered with Shaira Rivera. The duo defeated Hong Kong's Kallista Liu and Ching Laam Lai (6-1, 6-3) before losing 7-5, 6-2 to China's Yang Zhaoxuan and Jiang Xinyu, according to Sports Illustrated. Former tennis player Greg Rusedski suggested on his Off Court podcast that the WTA should not fine Eala given the significance of her participation for the Philippines.