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Lawmakers Back Alex Eala as WTA Fine Looms

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 2:47 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lawmakers Fund Eala

Philippine lawmakers pledged to cover Eala’s potential $10,000 WTA fine.
PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the commission will fully back Eala’s Asian Games participation.
PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza said the federation has not yet received a WTA exemption decision.
An exhibition match between Eala and Janice Tjen is scheduled for December 8 in Bulacan, with 55,000 tickets expected.

Summary

Alex Eala Skips China

Alex Eala will skip the 2026 China Open to represent Philippines at the Asian Games, risking a five-figure WTA fine.
Alex Eala will miss the Asian Games opening ceremony because she must prepare for Singapore Open.
Alex Eala will compete at the Singapore Open Sep 21-27, 2026 as a top-four seed with a bye.
Her career-best No. 18 ranking makes her the highest-ranked Filipina and Southeast Asian woman ever.

History

Historical Context

Tennis, dropped after 1924, returned as a full-medal sport in 1988 and was contested at the 1992 Barcelona Games with 64 players from 30 nations; Jennifer Capriati beat defending champion Steffi Graf for the United States’ first gold since 1924. Today, the Philippine Tennis Association and PSC pledge $10,000 to cover Alex Eala’s WTA fine, continuing state support for athletes in multi-sport events.

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Lawmakers Fund Eala

Philippine lawmakers pledged to cover Eala’s potential $10,000 WTA fine.
PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the commission will fully back Eala’s Asian Games participation.
PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza said the federation has not yet received a WTA exemption decision.
An exhibition match between Eala and Janice Tjen is scheduled for December 8 in Bulacan, with 55,000 tickets expected.

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