MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala remains set to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games in Japan as her camp waits for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to decide on its request to exempt her from the mandatory China Open.
Eala’s camp has formally asked the WTA for an exemption because the China Open schedule overlaps with the Asian Games, which run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4.
The China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament, is scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 11. As the world No. 18, Eala must enter the tournament under WTA rules.
If the WTA denies the exemption and Eala skips the China Open, she could receive a mandatory zero that would count toward her ranking for 52 weeks. She is less likely to face the tournament’s $10,000 (P630,000) late-withdrawal fine.
Eala has not publicly discussed the issue but recently expressed her desire to compete at the Asian Games.
“I love playing and competing with the Philippine team,” Eala said after reaching the third round of the US Open. “And the Asian Games happens once every four years. I just found myself drawn to competing in that.”
Philippine sports officials seek WTA consideration
Lawmakers have urged Philippine sports officials to assist Eala after Indonesian tennis player Janice Tjen reportedly failed to secure a similar exemption and withdrew from the Asian Games tennis competition.
Philippine Sports Commission chair Pato Gregorio said the agency has coordinated with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Tennis Association regarding Eala’s request.
“We pray she is granted consideration despite the consequences prescribed in standard rules,” Gregorio said.
He said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philta secretary-general John Rey Tiangco informed him that they had submitted the exemption request to the WTA.
Tiangco said the WTA should consider Eala’s decision to represent the Philippines.
“We hope the WTA recognizes the exceptional circumstance of an athlete choosing to compete for her country,” Tiangco said. “Representing the flag should be supported and celebrated.”
Alas Pilipinas opens Asian Games campaign
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas will open its women’s volleyball campaign against China at Okazaki Sogo Park Gym in Okazaki.
The Philippines will try to match or improve on the fourth-place finish of the 1962 Philippine team.
The match starts at 1 p.m. Manila time. China enters the tournament after losing to Thailand in the recent Asian Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup in Tianjin.
China has won the women’s volleyball gold medal at the Asian Games in the past nine editions.
Philippine coach Taka Minowa said his team feels prepared for the challenge.
“We are mentally ready to face the Chinese. We’ll try our very best,” Minowa said.
If the Philippines loses to China, it must beat Kazakhstan on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.
