Alex Eala outlines her biggest 'dream' yet after securing passage into Asian Games semi finals

Alex Eala is two wins away from securing victory for her country at the Asian Games, and she has already outlined her biggest "dream".

On Wednesday (September 30), Eala reached the Asian Games semi-finals after defeating Taiwan's Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0. The Filipino's convincing performance has teed up a mouth-watering semi-final against China's Wang Xiyu on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has already enjoyed an extraordinary 2026 by winning her first WTA singles event at the Washington Open in August and has skyrocketed to 17th in the world rankings. But securing a gold medal for her country at the Asian Games would be her proudest achievement to date.

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Alex Eala wants to represent the Philippines at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Speaking immediately after her straight-sets quarter-final victory against Garland, Eala outlined her "dream" of representing the Philippines at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"The Olympics is a dream for me to be able to compete there, to represent my country. So, yeah, let’s see how it goes," the Filipino superstar said.

Eala has already guaranteed herself a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals, but she has her sights firmly set on winning gold, as doing so gives her automatic entry into the 2028 Olympics.

She took bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles with Francis Alcantara at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and is a favorite for gold this time.

To compete at the Asian Games, Eala withdrew her entry from the China Open - a mandatory WTA 1000 event - and is facing the prospect of being fined $10,000 for breaking the strict rule.

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Greg Rusedski thinks Alex Eala should avoid $10,000 fine

“I want to say that it’s easy for people to relate to wanting to represent their country and wanting to play these types of Olympic Games," Eala said about the situation, and former Grand Slam winner Greg Rusedski has already come to her defence.

He has urged the WTA to show "common sense" with their final decision while believing there should be "exemptions" to the rule.

"Well, common sense isn’t very common in this world we live in. And you know there’s always going to be like exemption rules,” the former world number four said on the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast.

“I mean, for her to play the Asian Games is huge for her country and to be able to win that or medal in the Philippines that is massive.

“So from my point of view, sometimes you need to get exemptions in the rule. It’ll be interesting to see what happens and what the WTA decides – I’m sure they’ll make the right call and they won’t fine her.

“Because you don’t want players missing the 1000 events, but there’s a thing that is really good for the sport outside of the 1000’s sometimes, because this is huge in Asia to win the Asian Games.”

“I want to say that it’s easy for people to relate to wanting to represent their country and wanting to play these types of Olympic Games."

Eala's only concern right now is winning gold for her country, and if she does, it will only be the second time the Philippines has been represented in tennis at the official Summer Olympics. The last time, ironically, was also in Los Angeles in 1984.