Alex Eala’s time at the 2026 US Open may have come to a close following a 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 loss to her best friend Iva Jovic in the third round, but she is far from done. If her memorable time at the US Open and the standing ovation she received as she walked off the court are anything to go by, Eala is ready for more. In particular, her next adventure will take her to Asia, which is welcome news to her many Filipinos fans.
While Filipinos have flocked to wherever Eala plays, as seen during her recent swing across North America that brought the barangay energy to Washington DC, Toronto, and New York City, her next matches and games present an easier and more accessible chance to catch Eala live and in action. And in general, it’s always exciting to watch her play near and at home.
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Alex Eala’s Next Stop: The WTA 500 Singapore Open
If Filipino fans found the US and Europe too far for their budget to take them, they’ll be happy to know that Eala’s next stop is in Southeast Asia. After the US Open, Alex Eala’s next major tennis competition will be the Singapore Tennis Open this September. Running from September 21-27, the WTA 500WTA 500is a category of professional women's tennis tournaments on the WTA Tour, offering 500 ranking points to the singles champion.Go to WTA 500 Glossary event will see the Filipina athlete play at the Singapore Open alongside some of the top female players on the tour such as Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and more.
It’s tough competition, but if there’s anything Eala, who is rumored to be the No. 6 seed in the competition, has proved in the past year, it’s that she can and often has defied the odds. This marks the World No. 18’s closest WTA event she’s competed at to the Philippines since she participated in the first-ever Philippine Women’s Open back in January.
Why Alex Eala Is Skipping the China Open for the Asian Games
With the 20th Asian Games set to open on September 19 in Nagoya, Japan, the Philippines is gearing up to send its delegation to the major sporting event. Included in that list is Alex Eala. The Gen Z tennis star will be competing under the Philippine flag at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games alongside the rest of the country’s tennis team: Francis Casey Alcantara, Shaira Hope Rivera, Tennielle Madis, and Stefi Marithe Aludo.
Back at the 2023 Asian Games, Eala scored two bronze medals, and with the immense improvement she’s achieved in the succeeding three years, she hopes to claim her first gold medal at the Asian Games this year. Her campaign begins right as the Singapore Open concludes, with the women’s singles and mixed doubles competitions kicking off on September 27 and lasting until October 3.
Eala’s inclusion isn’t significant just because she’s playing for Team Philippines and a gold medal will automatically secure her a slot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but also because of what she may lose just by competing.
By virtue of her ranking in the Top 20, Eala is automatically qualified to play in the WTA 1000 China Open. But as she’s participating in the 2026 Asian Games, Eala will skip the event, a reversal from other players such as Qinwen Zheng and Naomi Osaka, who will be at the China Open rather than competing in the Asian Games. However, according to WTA rules, qualified players aren’t allowed to skip mandatory tournaments, such as WTA 1000 competitions, and doing so will incur penalties for the players.
There are exceptions to the rule, though, as the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) is trying to secure a waiver from the WTA for Eala to play at the Asian Games without incurring the penalty. Eala has always said that she proudly carries the Philippines with her whenever she goes, so the fact that she’s playing for the country at the Asian Games at the risk of her own professional career speaks volumes to that conviction.
Alex Eala’s December 8 Homecoming at the Philippine Arena
Following what already has been a whirlwind 2026, Alex Eala looks to wrap up her year by going home for an exhibition match, and the biggest game she’s ever played. Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate will see the Filipina tennis star play a friendly exhibition match with Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, who is currently the second-highest-ranked Southeast Asian in the WTA, at the Philippine Arena on December 8. The venue has often been used for the biggest concerts for the biggest global artists, but this homecoming showcase feels fitting for a young woman who has brought pride to the country this year and beyond.
Featured Image and Photos: WTA (via Instagram), ALEX EALA (via Instagram), SINGAPORE TENNIS OPEN (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
After a third-round loss at the 2026 US Open, Alex Eala’s next stop is the WTA 500 Singapore Tennis Open, running September 21-27, followed by the 2026 Asian Games and a December hometown exhibition match.
Despite automatically qualifying for the China Open by virtue of her Top 20 ranking, Alex Eala is skipping it to compete in the 2026 Asian Games. The Philippine Tennis Association is seeking a WTA waiver to avoid penalties for missing a mandatory event.
A gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games would automatically secure Alex Eala a slot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She won two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games and is aiming for her first gold this year.
Alex Eala will compete alongside Francis Casey Alcantara, Shaira Hope Rivera, Tennielle Madis, and Stefi Marithe Aludo as part of the Philippine tennis delegation at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Alex Eala’s “Game. Set. Celebrate” homecoming exhibition match against Indonesia’s Janice Tjen takes place December 8 at the Philippine Arena, marking one of the biggest matches of her career on home soil.
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