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🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

‘Tennis Fairy’ Alexandra Eala Chooses Asian Games Gold Over Money

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Philippine tennis player Alexandra Eala said she intends to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after losing in the US Open women’s singles round of 16.
  • The choice could force her to miss the WTA 1000 China Open, costing prize money and ranking points and potentially triggering a $10,000 fine.
  • The Philippine Tennis Association said it supports Eala and has formally notified the WTA of her decision to represent the Philippines.

Alexandra Eala is choosing the chance to win an Asian Games gold medal over the money and ranking points available on the professional tennis tour.

The 21-year-old Filipino, who is ranked 18th in the world, announced her intention to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after her defeat in the US Open women’s singles round of 16. “I really like competing alongside the Philippine athletes,” Eala said.

I really like competing alongside the Philippine athletes.

· Alexandra EalaEala explained why she wants to represent the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games.

The decision carries a significant cost. The Asian Games clash with the WTA China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament. Eala would lose the chance to earn prize money and ranking points by skipping the event. Because players ranked 11th to 25th can face a $10,000 fine for missing the China Open for reasons other than injury, she could also face a penalty from the WTA administration.

The Philippine Tennis Association said it fully supports the rising star’s choice. “We actively support Eala’s choice,” the association said, adding that it had formally informed the WTA that Eala would compete for the Philippines at the Asian Games. For Eala, the potential reward is not only a medal but also the honor of becoming an Asian Games champion.

We actively support Eala’s choice.

· Philippine Tennis AssociationThe association backed Eala despite the financial and ranking consequences of missing the China Open.
About this summary

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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