Home ahoho ALEX EALA IS PUTTING THE PHILIPPINES FIRST — BUT HER DECISION TO CHASE ASIAN GAMES GOLD MEANS WALKING AWAY FROM ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS ON THE WTA CALENDAR, AND IT COULD COME WITH A PRICE. Fresh off the strongest stretch of her career, Eala now faces a very different kind of choice. Instead of following the usual WTA route through Asia, she is adjusting her schedule to join Team Philippines in Japan — a decision that says plenty about what representing her country still means to her. But fitting the Asian Games into an already packed calendar means sacrificing something significant along the way. 👇 See what Alex Eala will miss — and the road she must take before reaching Nagoya — in the comments.

ALEX EALA IS PUTTING THE PHILIPPINES FIRST — BUT HER DECISION TO CHASE ASIAN GAMES GOLD MEANS WALKING AWAY FROM ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS ON THE WTA CALENDAR, AND IT COULD COME WITH A PRICE. Fresh off the strongest stretch of her career, Eala now faces a very different kind of choice. Instead of following the usual WTA route through Asia, she is adjusting her schedule to join Team Philippines in Japan — a decision that says plenty about what representing her country still means to her. But fitting the Asian Games into an already packed calendar means sacrificing something significant along the way. 👇 See what Alex Eala will miss — and the road she must take before reaching Nagoya — in the comments.

ahoho · 13/09/2026 · comments off

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala’s decision to represent the Philippines at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 comes after the strongest two-month run of her career.

She reached the second week of Wimbledon, won her first WTA Tour title and climbed into the world’s top 20. She then chose the national team over one of the biggest tournaments on the women’s tour.

JUNE 30: FIRST WIMBLEDON MAIN-DRAW WIN

Eala opened Wimbledon with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Renata Zarazua.

It was her first main-draw win at the All England Club and the beginning of her deepest run in a Grand Slam tournament.

JULY 2: A PHILIPPINE TENNIS FIRST

Alex Eala Alexandra Eala Maya Joint Wimbledon 2026 second round London

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates winning the second round women’s singles match against Maya Joint of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

After dropping the opening set, Eala rallied past Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Article continues after this advertisement

The victory made her the first Filipino to reach the third round of a Grand Slam singles tournament in the Open era.

“I really had to dig deep,” Eala said.

JULY 4: ALEX EALA STUNS THE DEFENDING CHAMPION

Eala defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, on Centre Court.

Article continues after this advertisement

The victory sent Eala into the round of 16 and made her the first Filipino to reach the second week of a singles major in the Open era.

“It’s difficult to describe,” Eala said. “I’m in the second week of a Slam and it’s incredible for me.”

JULY 6: WIMBLEDON RUN ENDS

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines waves to the crowd after losing the women’s singles fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Former finalist Jasmine Paolini stopped Eala, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, in the fourth round.

The loss ended the tournament, but Eala said had created a core memory with her appearance on tennis’ most hallowed ground.

“I just have to move forward and continue with my progress,” she said.

JULY 14: THE ASIAN GAMES ENTERS HER SCHEDULE

During a media availability in Makati, Eala made her national-team intention clear: “The Asian Games is in my plans,” she said.

While the statement showed that representing the Philippines was part of her schedule, there was a wrinkle: The China Open, a 1000 event that is required for top players.

JULY 28-AUG. 3: FIRST WTA TOUR TITLE

Alex Eala of the Philippines kisses the championship trophy after winning the women’s singles match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on the final day of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images/AFP

Eala won five difficult matches to capture the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open in Washington. She defeated Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula.

Against Pegula in the final, Eala recovered from a set down to win, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

The title made her the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour singles championship and pushed her into the world’s top 20.

“I’m really looking forward to many more finals with you,” Eala told Pegula during the trophy ceremony.

AUG. 5-17: ALEX EALA BACKS UP HER BREAKTHROUGH

Eala followed her Washington title with two wins in Toronto before Belinda Bencic ended her seven-match winning streak in the round of 16.

She then reached the third round in Cincinnati. Eala defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse before taking top-10 opponent Amanda Anisimova to three sets.

The results showed that Washington was no fluke.

AUG. 28: ALEX EALA CHOOSES THE PHILIPPINES

FILE–Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates after defeating Thailand’s M Sawangkaew in the women’s final at the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

The Philippine Tennis Association confirmed that Eala would compete in the Asian Games 2026 despite its conflict with major WTA events.

READ: Alex Eala looks forward to Asian Games ‘fun’

“She chose to play for the flag,” PHILTA secretary-general John Rey Tiangco said.

The commitment means Eala will miss the China Open.

WHAT IS THE CHINA OPEN?

The China Open is a WTA 1000 tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Beijing.

The 2026 women’s tournament runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 11. It has a 96-player singles draw and a total financial commitment of $9,415,725.

The champion can earn 1,000 ranking points.

Eala is not surrendering $9.4 million or 1,000 guaranteed points. She is giving up the opportunity to compete for a share of the prize fund and earn ranking points based on how far she might have advanced.

WHAT IS ALEX EALA GIVING UP?

By missing Beijing, Eala gives up:

A place in one of the highest-level regular events on the WTA calendar.

A chance to collect ranking points and potentially improve her world ranking.

A chance to earn prize money during the Asian swing—although Eala has repeatedly said she doesn’t focus on money so as not to let it distract her focus on constantly improving.

WHAT CAN ALEX EALA GAIN AT THE ASIAN GAMES?

FILE–Philippines’ Alexandra Eala poses with gold medals during medal ceremony for tennis the women’s final at the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Eala won bronze medals in women’s singles and mixed doubles at the 2023 Asian Games.

Competing in Aichi-Nagoya gives her the chance to improve on those results.

The women’s singles champion can also earn an International Tennis Federation place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, subject to ranking, eligibility and national quota requirements.

Related Posts

FROM THE US OPEN COURTS TO THE FRONT ROW AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK — ALEX EALA HAS SWAPPED HER TENNIS KIT FOR A STRING OF EYE-CATCHING LOOKS, AND THE FILIPINA STAR IS STILL FINDING WAYS TO TURN HEADS IN NEW YORK. The Filipina tennis star has been spotted attending multiple shows during one of fashion’s biggest weeks, stepping into a very different spotlight after her US Open run. And judging by the reaction online, fans are loving seeing this side of Eala away from the court. 👇 See Alex Eala’s New York Fashion Week looks in the comments.

KATE MIDDLETON’S EARRINGS CARRIED A HEARTBREAKING MESSAGE — A QUIET TRIBUTE LINKED TO A MOTHER WHO LOST HER SON 💛 Princess Kate’s unexpected appearance in Liverpool may have looked polished and understated — but one tiny detail carried far more meaning than her outfit suggested. As she joined Prince William for an emotional engagement marking World Suicide Prevention Day, Kate chose a pair of earrings with a deeply personal story behind them. They were not simply another royal accessory. Their meaning traces back to an encounter from several years ago — and to one family whose loss left a lasting impression on the Princess.

IVA JOVIC HAS NOW BEATEN ALEX EALA THREE TIMES — BUT HER LATEST VERDICT ON THE FILIPINA AFTER THEIR US OPEN THRILLER MAY SURPRISE SOME FANS. The two young stars know each other well, but their latest meeting felt very different from the ones before. After surviving another battle with Eala, Jovic was asked to assess where her friend’s game stands now — and her answer showed just how much respect she has for the progress Eala has made.

KATE MIDDLETON RETURNS TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR CANCER — MONTHS AFTER QUIETLY PUSHING HERSELF THROUGH A GRUELLING FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE 💚 Princess Kate’s return to the Royal Marsden was far more than another royal visit. She was walking back into the same hospital where she had once been a patient — this time with a deeply personal reason for being there. In the months since, Kate had quietly taken on an extraordinary challenge away from the cameras, determined to give something back to the people who had supported her through one of the hardest chapters of her life. Now, that effort has come full circle.

mai plinh