Alex Eala could be hit with brutal punishment after making huge Philippines decision
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has a difficult decision to make just days after exiting the US Open and it could cost her financially.
Despite rising to fame after becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour singles title when she was victorious at August’s Washington Open, Eala could only manage to reach the third round of the US Open before losing to America’s Iva Jovic, last time out.
The World No. 18, though, will not be away from the court for too long, as it’s been confirmed that she will represent her nation at the Asian Games, set to take place in Japan. And while the youngster will no doubt be looking forward to representing her nation, her appearance at the Games may land her in hot water with the WTA.
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Alex Eala may face financial penalty for tournament snub
The Asian Games clash with the China Open, meaning Eala will be unable to feature at the WTA 1000 event between September 30 and October 11, despite it being mandatory for players of her ranking.
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The Philippines Tennis Association (Philta) has applied for an exemption, although it remains unclear whether the WTA will accept this and waive Eala’s commitment to the China Open.
If the WTA rejects the request, Eala may be forced to pay a fine of $10,000 (£7,410) and could also suffer a potential blow to her world ranking, as she will receive zero ranking points.
Eala will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games if she wins gold at the Asian Games.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen has already pulled out of the Asian Games after announcing she was denied an exemption.
“After a lot of consideration, I’ve had to make the difficult decision that I won’t be able to compete at the Asian Games this year which take place at the same time as the mandatory WTA 1000 event in Beijing,” Tjen, who is world No. 36, wrote on social media last week.
“We have received confirmation from the WTA that unfortunately, I have not been granted an exemption to compete at the Asian Games.”
Eala praised for commitment to Philippines despite potential sanctions
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino praised Eala’s decision to represent the nation despite the potential penalties she may face.
“We can always say that Alex Eala is giving back to her country, to support Filipinos in the country and wherever she competes, they have amazingly established that global ‘Eala Mania,’” Tolentino said in a statement.
“The WTA has its rules and breaking the rules has penalties,” he said. “But Alex will be in Nagoya, for flag and country.”
Luke Davies