Eala wanting ahead to a different memorable stint with Crew Philippines, this time in Asian Video games

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova throughout their ladies’s singles second spherical tennis match on day 5 of the US Open tennis event on the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle in New York on September 3, 2026. (Picture by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Alex Eala is taking a constructive outlook after getting the ax on the US Open following her defeat to good pal Iva Jovic within the third spherical at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

As she has at all times carried out this yr, significantly throughout a profitable summer time run within the North American hardcourt swing, the Filipino tennis sensation is wanting ahead to issues that she must do as an alternative of wallowing in defeat.

And why not? She has the Asian Video games coming and she or he will get to battle for the nation in a means that’s totally different from her battles on the WTA Tour.

“I really like enjoying and competing with the Philippines staff,” Eala stated after her agonizing three-set loss to American teenager Jovic in New York on Sunday (Manila time).

“That felt like a marathon and I felt like I misplaced my sanity 5 occasions over to win that match,” Jovic stated of the three-hour match. “However it’s actually price it for this sense. I’m normally not one which reveals that many feelings, however this one actually meant loads to me. It’s all the pieces to have one other match right here on the US Open.”

In a means, Eala has been competing for the Philippines on the ladies’s tour. Wherever she goes, a wall of passionate supporters follows her, waving Filipino flags.

“It’s indescribable to sum up the help and the way it makes me really feel in just some phrases. It’s an actual privilege to expertise this in a lifetime,” Eala stated. “[P]laying on Arthur Ashe and feeling the help and being in these environments and studying these classes and preventing and doing what I really like … I’m actually completely happy. I’m actually fortunate to have these alternatives, to have these folks help me, and to be working onerous, to have the ability to work onerous, and to have the ability to reside this life how I’m dwelling it.”

The distinction is that within the Asian Video games, her opponents may have the identical form of flag-waving help as nicely. It’s going to be a pure battle for the nation, with no particular person prize cash at stake.

The rising 21-year-old would be the favourite to win ladies’s singles gold when the Video games start in Japan on Sept. 19, with so most of the high weapons not competing.

China’s Zheng Qinwen received Asian Video games singles gold three years in the past on dwelling turf however is not going to defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya. Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who shall be in motion on the China Open in Beijing, can even not be concerned.

On the earlier version of the Video games, in 2023 in China, Eala went dwelling with bronze medals in singles and blended doubles.

A lot has modified for Eala since, final month changing into the primary participant from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 on the planet.

Her groundbreaking exploits have made her a celebrity again dwelling.

And defending nationwide satisfaction on the continental Olympics will amplify her recognition.

Eala has been an everyday on the Southeast Asian Video games, successful singles gold final yr, and she or he stated: “I believe it’s a extremely enjoyable setting, and I really like being with the staff, particularly this final SEA Video games in December, I had such a good time.”

“I believe they’re actually recollections that keep on with me.”

Eala will miss Beijing figuring out that gold on the Asian Video games will seal an automated berth on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is about to play on the Singapore Open on Sept. 21 to 27, with the Asian Video games ladies’s singles beginning the identical day that Singapore ends.

“The Asian Video games occurs as soon as each 4 years and I discover myself drawn to competing in that,” the world No. 18 stated.—WITH A REPORT FROM AFP INQ