Eala set for Singapore tune-up ahead of Nagoya Asian Games

Alexandra Eala

AFTER her US Open 2026 campaign, Filipina tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to return to action in the Singapore Tennis Open as she begins her preparations for the 2026 Asian Games.

Eala is included in the official player list for the WTA 500 tournament, the first stop of the Asian hard court swing scheduled from September 21 to 27 at the OCBC Arena.

The world No. 18 Eala recently wrapped up her North American hard court season with a third-round finish in the US Open, where she suffered a hard-fought 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 loss to American No. 14 Iva Jovic in an epic three-hour Round of 32 battle between the two good friends.

Eala will have roughly three weeks to rest and gear up for the Singapore tilt, which will serve as an important tune-up ahead of her Asian Games bid in Nagoya, Japan.

The 21-year-old stalwart has reaffirmed her commitment to represent the Philippines in the quadrennial continental meet, where she hopes to improve her bronze medal finish from the 2023 Hangzhou edition.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippine team in 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,” she continued.

“The Asian Games happens once every four years and I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff.”

A gold in the Asian Games could secure Eala a pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as the Asiad singles champions are guaranteed an Olympic quota, provided they are ranked inside the world’s top 500 and their National Olympic Committee has not already filled its quota through direct acceptance.

Eala, however, will have to miss the WTA 1000 China Open, scheduled from September 30 to October 11, as it overlaps with the Asian Games tennis competition, which runs from September 27 to October 2.

Eala’s absence could potentially result in sanctions from the WTA, as top-ranked players are required to compete in all four Grand Slam tournaments and the 10 WTA 1000 events on the calendar.

The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) has already reached out to the Women’s Tennis Association to request an exemption for Eala.

“We have formally informed the WTA that Alex will be representing the Philippines at the Asian Games and have requested an exemption so she will not be penalized for missing a WTA 1000 event,” PHILTA secretary-general John Rey Tiangco said.

“Alex herself has made it clear that representing the Philippines is an honor and that she is choosing to play for the flag. We fully support that decision and are doing everything we can to ensure that choosing to represent her country does not come at the expense of her standing on the WTA Tour,” he added.

“We are proud of Alex, not only for what she continues to achieve in tennis, but for choosing to carry the Philippine flag on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.”

PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza said the federation is still waiting for the WTA’s decision.

— Jeremiah Sevilla