Alex Eala is set to return to national-team duty for the Philippines as she shifts her focus from the US Open to the Nagoya Asian Games later this month.
Eala has been a regular fixture for the country since 2021, never missing a tour of duty with the Philippine team.
Her most recent SEA Games campaign proved particularly fruitful as she captured the women’s singles gold medal at the Thailand Southeast Asian Games last December.
Now, Eala is aiming for another gold medal in the Asian Games after settling for bronze in the women’s singles event in Hangzhou four years ago.
The 21-year-old will first return to the WTA Tour at the Singapore Open, a WTA 500 tournament scheduled from September 21 to 26, before heading to Japan for the Asian Games.
For Eala, the opportunity to once again represent the Philippines is something she continues to value despite the demands of her professional schedule.
“I love playing and competing with the Philippine team in, you know, the SEA Games and the Asian Games. I’ve also done that,” Eala said.
“I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December. I had such a great time, and I think they’re really memories that stick with me.”
The Asian Games will come with a significant scheduling sacrifice for Eala, however.
The tennis competition in Nagoya is set for September 27 to October 2, overlapping with the China Open, a WTA 1000 event that runs from September 30 to October 11.
Eala will therefore miss the Beijing tournament as she prioritizes her national-team commitment.
(C) POC Media
The move could affect her WTA ranking, as top-ranked players are required to compete in all four Grand Slam tournaments, six WTA 500 events, and all 10 WTA 1000 tournaments.
Players who fail to fulfill mandatory tournament commitments can have previous results treated as “zero pointers,” potentially hurting their overall ranking, while the tour can also impose monetary fines.
There are exemptions for circumstances such as verified injuries, serious medical conditions, or approved personal matters.
The Philippine Tennis Association is seeking an exemption for Eala, with her participation in the Asian Games as a member of the national team serving as the basis for the request.
Eala, for her part, sees the Asian Games as an opportunity worth prioritizing given how rarely the event comes around.
“And, you know, the Asian Games happens once every four years, and, yeah, I just found myself drawn to competing in that, aside from other stuff,” she said.
Before beginning her Asian Games campaign, Eala will first have to regroup following a tough exit at the US Open.
On Sunday morning (Manila time), Eala bowed out in the third round after falling to close friend Iva Jovic in a marathon three-setter, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
Despite the loss, Eala was overwhelmed by the support she received from Filipino fans throughout her US Open campaign, particularly during her match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It’s indescribable to, you know, sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words,” Eala said.
“It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime.”
The experience, she added, was about more than simply competing on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
“Yeah, just, you know, playing on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons and fighting and doing what I love,” she said.
“So, I’m really happy. I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard—to be able to work hard and to be able to live this life how I am living it.”
Her next stop is Singapore, followed by Japan, where she will once again trade the individual grind of the WTA Tour for the responsibility of representing the Philippines.
