Barring any major schedule conflict, Alex Eala could don national colors once more and on a bigger stage this time around for the coming Asian Games this September in Nagoya, Japan.
On the heels of an amazing Wimbledon campaign, Eala said flying the flag high in the Asiad is “part of her plan” this year, reiteratering a nobler mission to represent the flag and country than just etching a name for herself individually in the WTA Tour and Grand Slam tournaments.
“It’s always an honor to play for the Philippines,” said the 21-year-old Filipina pride, who officially reached a new-career best of No. 28 in the WTA world rankings yesterday at the close of Wimbledon, during a media availability hosted by BPI at the BPI Wealth Lounge in Makati City yesterday. “The Asian Games is in my plans.”
As it stands, Eala may have a vacant schedule during the Asian Games stretch from September 19 to October 4, running right after her campaign in the US Open, which runs from August 30 to September 13 in Flushing Meadows, New York.
The WTA Tour, however, is non-stop after that, and one of the tournaments Eala could be in and spoil her bid in flying the flag in the Asiad is the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing from September 30 to October 11.
Count on Eala, however, to put the Philippines on top of her priority, especially with some unfinished business after a pair of bronze medals (singles and mixed doubles) in the 2023 Asiad in Guangzhou.
Eala last year moved closer to a sweet Asiad revenge, reigning supreme in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand to snap a two-decade drought for Philippine women’s tennis.
“It’s different when you play for (flag and country) in the SEA Games, Asian Games and the Olympics,” beamed Eala, who’s in town for a homecoming after setting multiple histories in Wimbledon highlighted by becoming the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16 of any Grand Slam ever.
“It brings a different pride and vibe than when I compete in the WTA Tour. I always enjoy it especially with my Pinoy teammates. The SEA games last year was an incredible experience for me. I had so much fun so I’m really excited and super motivated (for the Asian Games). I’m gonna give it my best.”
Eala arrived back home on Sunday and before BPI had homecoming events in Nike Philippines headquarters and the Malacañang Palace led by President Marcos, who handed Eala a presidential citation for his contribution to Philippine sports.
She’ll wrap up a short tour with a fan meeting event with Globe at the Glorrieta Activity Center on Wednesday, July 15, before preparing for a transition from grass to the hardcourt swing leading up to the US Open.
Then hopefully, it”s showtime for the Asiad with no less than a gold medal as her prized target.
“Of course, I’m going for the gold,” vowed Eala, who will play in Washington D.C, Toronto and Cincinnati hardcourts as part of her US Open and Asiad build-up.
Aside from the WTA Tour, the US Open and the Asiad may serve as the icing on the cake for Eala’s banner year so far marked by new career-best and a historic seeding in the Wimbledon (No. 29), where she reached the fourth round after stunning World No. 3 and then reigning champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, among the few.