Alex Eala may finally get the chance to play on home soil if and when the Philippines hosts a WTA Tour leg early next year.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio disclosed the possibility the other day, saying the agency will move heaven and earth to make it happen after the 2026 Australian Open slated in January.
‘Hahabulin natin ‘yang WTA125 at sino ba gusto nating maglaro diyan? Syempre si Alex (Eala). This 2026 po two-three weeks right after the AO (Australian Open),’ said Gregorio during the Batang Pinoy launch at the Century Park Hotel.
The good news, however, came after Eala, the 20-year-old Filipina tennis star who’s now No. 58 in the world rankings, yesterday bowed to WTA No. 70 and No. 6 seed Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland, 2-6, 6-2, 6-7 (0-7) in the quarterfinals of the WTA125 Suzhou Open in China.
The No. 4 seed Eala fumbled a strong start and got blanked in the tiebreaker of the deciding set to miss out on her second Final Four appearance.
Still, Eala who took home $3,450 (over P200,000) has made the quarterfinals in four straight WTA Tour events.
That should create and stir the excitement in the PSC-backed event that could be branded as the Manila Open or Philippine Open.
It could serve as Eala’s first tournament on Philippine soil since she turned pro.