Alexandra Eala chooses country over China Open, seeks exemption for Asian Games

Alexandra Eala has chosen to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games over the mandatory China Open, with PHILTA seeking a WTA exemption. The world No.18 heads to Aichi-Nagoya after a breakthrough season featuring a WTA 500 title and strong Grand Slam runs.Alexandra Eala seeks exemption for Asian Games. Courtesy: ReutersAlexandra Eala has chosen representing the Philippines at the Asian Games over competing at the mandatory China Open, with the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) seeking an exemption from the WTA for the 21-year-old.Eala, currently ranked 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 event in Beijing that begins on September 30. Skipping a mandatory tournament without an exemption can result in ranking penalties and fines."We have formally requested an exemption and we respect the WTA’s process. At the same time, Alex has made her decision to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games, and we fully support her," PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said in a statement to media on Tuesday.EALA’S RUN ON WTA TOUREala arrives at the Asian Games after a productive stretch on the WTA Tour. She reached the final of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington in August, beating 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. She followed that run by reaching the fourth round of the National Bank Open in Toronto, where she beat Alycia Parks and Caty McNally before losing to 12th seed Belinda Bencic. At the Cincinnati Open, she reached the third round, defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse before falling to ninth seed Amanda Anisimova.At the US Open, Eala reached the third round. She opened with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Mary Stoiana and then beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4 before losing a three-set match to 14th seed Iva Jovic. Her breakthrough year has also included a Wimbledon fourth-round appearance, where she defeated third seed Iga Swiatek in the second round before losing to 13th seed Jasmine Paolini. The WTA currently lists Eala at No. 18, with a 40-21 singles record in 2026 and one WTA title.EALA PUTS COUNTRY OVER RANKING CONCERNSThe Asian Games decision carries a potential ranking cost. Earlier this week, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen withdrew from the Games after being unable to secure an exemption from the China Open.Eala, however, will compete in Nagoya regardless of the WTA’s decision, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino said."The WTA has its rules and breaking the rules has penalties. But Alex will be in Nagoya, for flag and country," he added.Eala’s decision means she will miss the China Open, where her participation would otherwise have been required under the WTA’s mandatory-event rules. 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.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 16, 2026 17:34 IST