Everything’s fine

Alex Eala’s decision to skip the China Open and represent the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games paid off as she avoided possible sanctions from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), according to the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta).

During a Senate Committee on Sports hearing on Tuesday, Philta executive director Tonette Mendoza said they made its case to the WTA and was only asked a few questions before the governing body stopped responding.

Eala, 21, went on to win a bronze medal in women’s singles at the Asiad in Nagoya, Japan, which also served as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“From the beginning, first we asked Alex if she was willing to join. She made a decision on her own that she wanted to represent the country. So we asked the WTA if they could waive any penalties that they may impose on her,” Mendoza said.

“So the WTA just asked us a few questions if she made the decision on her own, meaning it was not under pressure from anybody in the government or national federation, if it is an Olympic qualifier for our country, to which we said yes.”

“She made a decision on her own and it’s an Olympic qualifier. Then they just never got back to us.”

There had been concerns that Eala could lose ranking points or face a monetary fine for skipping a mandatory WTA 1000 event.

Indonesia’s world No. 42 Janice Tjen also missed the Asiad after the WTA denied her request for an exemption as well as big names like former world No. 1 Naomi Osakaof Japan and current No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

Mendoza said Philta believed Eala should not be sanctioned for choosing to represent the Philippines, particularly since the Asiad served as an Olympic qualifier.

She also said the International Tennis Federation (ITF) supported their position.

“Reading the rules of the WTA, the penalties and whatever points (you lose) when you miss a mandatory tournament is really designed for players who omit these tournaments because they want to play an exhibition. So it’s silent on representing the country,” Mendoza said.

“World Tennis, the ITF, I met with them last week. They were very supportive of players representing their country and skipping a mandatory tournament.”

The decision could give Eala more flexibility to represent the Philippines in future competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games and the Olympics, without putting her WTA status at risk.

If the WTA had decided to slap her a fine, Eala could have been forced to cough out $10,000 or P630,000.

Currently, Eala is one of the most famous players in the WTA.

Speaking on five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova’s “Pretty Tough” podcast, Eala said she understands the responsibility that comes with representing the country.

“I understand the weight that the representation holds. I know that there’s a big audience that looks up to me,” Eala said.

“I genuinely try to do my best and represent my culture and these people, these lovely people, the way they deserve to be represented.”

The world No. 18 also admitted that playing in front of a large Filipino crowd brings added pressure but has also taught her to embrace difficult moments.

“When there are that many people involved, my experience has become a lot more emotional because of the pressure, because I know how badly I want it, because I know what I represent,” Eala said.

“Recently, I’ve been almost looking forward to those moments where I’m out of breath or those moments where I’m really nervous, and I’ve learned to enjoy facing them head-on. You’ve been there so many times, and you know how to handle it.”