Alexandra Eala chooses country before China Open, asks for exemption for Asian Games

Alexandra Eala has opted to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games ahead of the mandatory China Open, with the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) seeking a WTA exemption for the 21-year-old.

Eala, currently No. 18 in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the women’s singles draw at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The tennis competition overlaps with the China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, which starts on September 30. Missing a mandatory tournament without exception may result in a penalty and a fine.

“We have formally requested an exemption and respect the WTA process. At the same time, Alex has decided to represent the Philippines in the Asian Games and we fully support her,” PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said in a media statement on Tuesday.

EALA’S RUN ON THE WTA TOUR

Eala arrives at the Asian Games after a productive stretch on the WTA Tour. In August, she reached the final of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, where she defeated Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka before defeating top seed Jessica Pegula 4–6, 6–4, 6–0 in the final. The title was her first WTA 500 crown.

Following that run, she advanced to the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto, where she defeated Alycia Parks and Caty McNally before losing to 12th seed Belinda Bencic. At the Cincinnati Open, she reached the third round, where she defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse and fell to ninth-ranked Amanda Anisima.

At the US Open, Eala reached the third round. She opened with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Mary Stoiana before defeating Oleksandra Oliynyk 6-1, 6-4. before losing a three-set match to 14th seed Iva Jovic.

Her breakthrough year also included reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon, where she defeated third seed Iga Swiatek in the second round before losing to 13th seed Jasmine Paolini. The WTA currently ranks Eala at No. 18 with a 40-21 singles record in 2026 and one WTA title.

EALA PROVIDES EARTH IN REGARDS TO OBVAKS

The decision on the Asian Games carries with it potential evaluation costs. Earlier this week, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen pulled out of the Games after failing to secure an exemption from the China Open.

However, Eala will compete in Nagoya regardless of the WTA’s decision, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino said.

“The WTA has its rules and there are sanctions for breaking them. But Alex will be in Nagoya for the flag and the country,” he added.

Eala’s decision means she will miss the China Open, where her participation would otherwise be required by WTA rules for mandatory events. Her focus will instead shift to the Asian Games, where she enters as the highest-ranked women’s singles player and one of the Philippines’ leading medal contenders.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

16 Sep 2026 17:34 IST