Home ahoho ALEX EALA IS CONFIDENTLY TIPPED TO ESCAPE A POTENTIAL WTA FINE — DESPITE CHOOSING THE ASIAN GAMES OVER HER TOUR COMMITMENTS. Eala’s decision to represent the Philippines has created an unusual situation, with WTA rules potentially carrying consequences when players miss certain mandatory events. Yet one tennis figure believes the 21-year-old has little reason to worry. Rather than expecting the WTA to punish one of its fastest-rising young stars, he has outlined why Eala’s circumstances could ultimately work in her favour — and why imposing a fine might make little sense for the tour itself.

ALEX EALA IS CONFIDENTLY TIPPED TO ESCAPE A POTENTIAL WTA FINE — DESPITE CHOOSING THE ASIAN GAMES OVER HER TOUR COMMITMENTS. Eala’s decision to represent the Philippines has created an unusual situation, with WTA rules potentially carrying consequences when players miss certain mandatory events. Yet one tennis figure believes the 21-year-old has little reason to worry. Rather than expecting the WTA to punish one of its fastest-rising young stars, he has outlined why Eala’s circumstances could ultimately work in her favour — and why imposing a fine might make little sense for the tour itself.

ahoho · 29/09/2026 · comments off

Alex Eala began her Asian Games campaign with victory on Monday.

The Filipina star, seeded first in the event, defeated Thai player Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0 in the second round.

Eala has now set up a clash with world number 142 Joanna Garland, who was a finalist in the Australian Open’s ‘One Point Slam’ earlier this year.

By competing at the Asian Games, Eala is at risk of incurring a fine from the WTA. After all, the youngster has chosen to forego the China Open – a mandatory WTA 1000 event – to compete in the prestigious global event.

Greg Rusedski, the former British number one, is confident that Eala will avoid being fined by the WTA.

Greg Rusedski believes the WTA will make the ‘right call’ and not fine Alex Eala

“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 stated on the Off Court with Greg Rusedki 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.

Alexandra Eala (R) of the Philippines shakes hands with Patcharin Cheapchandej of Thailand after victory during the Tennis Women's Singles Second Round on day nine of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya at Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center on September 28, 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.

Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

“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.”

Eala is aiming to win gold at the Asian Games for the first time in her young career.

The Filipina collected a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games after beating Sarah Mahboob Khan, Rutuja Bhosale and Kyōka Okamura.

Eala was defeated in the last four by top seed and eventual champion Qinwen Zheng, 1-6, 7-6, 3-6.

What did Alex Eala say after winning her first match at the 2026 Asian Games?

“I think I performed pretty well, Eala said after beating Cheapchandej on Monday, as per the Inquirer.

“Of course, the conditions are not ideal. But I guess it’s our job to adapt and it’s something not in our control. And of course, it adds some adversity, but that goes for everybody, I guess.”

All contests were moved indoors on Monday due to averse weather conditions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Eala has never played her next opponent – Joanna Garland.

Alex Eala’s projected path to the Asian Games title

  • First round: BYE

  • Second round: defeated Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0

  • Quarter-finals: Joanna Garland

  • Semi-finals: Xiyu Wang

  • Final: Zhang Shuai

The Filipina is also set to compete in the women’s doubles event. On Tuesday, Eala and Shaira Rivera will play Hong Kong duo Lai Ching Laam and Liu Kallista.

Stefi Aludo and Tenny Madis are the other Filipina tandem present in the women’s doubles draw. They defeated Indonesians Anjali Junarto and Meydiana Reinnamah, 6-3, 7-6 in the first round.

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