Alex Eala set to play in 2026 Asian Games, Philta confirms

FILE–Philippines’ Alexandra Eala at the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) has confirmed Alex Eala’s participation in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games amid her busy schedule.

Philta on Friday assured that Eala will represent the country in Japan despite the quick turnaround, with the US Open looming and Singapore Open also scheduled next month.

“We are very excited, and it’s confirmed that she’s playing the Asian Games,” Philta Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said.

“We are very grateful to Alex. She really has a tight schedule. In fact, after US Open she’s going to Singapore to play yung WTA 500. And right after Singapore, she has to fly to Nagoya.”

“She chose to play for the flag. We’re really proud and very happy that she can represent the Philippines,” he added.

Eala won bronze as a 17-year-old in the 2023 Asian Games both in women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Last December, Eala represented the country in the Southeast Asian Games Thailand and earned a historic gold medal in the women’s singles event.

“As we all know, the last time she won the gold sa SEA Games. I’m positive that she will do well and she will do her best in the Asian Games,” Tiangco said. “And I just noticed that she’s very motivated when she’s playing for the flag. So we are very excited. Let’s support her.”

Eala is seeded 17th in the US Open and will face a qualifier in the first round.

The Filipino tennis ace has been on a roll recently–earning a new career-high ranking of No. 18, winning her first WTA tour title in Mubadala DC Open, and reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon.