Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. Photo courtesy of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Media Pool.Alex Eala is keeping her eyes on the prize for the Philippines in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games amid possible sanctions from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) after missing the China Open in Beijing.
The 21-year-old breezed past Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej, 6-1, 6-0, to advance to the quarterfinals on Monday, and for Eala, competing for the Philippines is her top priority right now.
READ: Eala through to quarterfinals, makes quick work of Thailand’s Cheapchandej
“This is an Olympic event, so it’s something that I look forward to,” said Eala, who could earn a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games if she wins the women’s singles title at the Asiad.
The tennis competition at the Asiad will run until October 3, while the China Open is scheduled from September 30 to October 11.
Still, Eala assured that the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) has been doing its part to help her avoid any complications from skipping the WTA 1000 event.
“I am not aware of the outcome yet. We are not yet enlightened,” shared Eala. “We have been planning, and they’ve taken, as far as I know, the correct procedures in requesting an exemption.”
The possible WTA sanctions are just among the many outside factors Eala has been facing, with weather conditions in Japan also delaying her match and forcing it to be moved to a different venue on Monday.
Eala, for her part, said she is keeping herself focused on what she can control, with her main goal now being to bring home the gold for the Philippines.
“I want to put up the best tennis that I possibly can,” emphasized Eala, who will next face Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. “The external factors are out of my control.”