PHILTA confirms Alex Eala cleared of WTA sanctions

Mission accomplished.

On Oct. 8, 2026, the Philippine Tennis Association announced that the Women’s Tennis Association will no longer penalize Alex Eala for skipping a mandatory tournament after representing the PHL at the recently concluded 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza confirmed the development during the Senate Committee on Sports hearing.

According to Mendoza, the sanctions apply to professional tennis players who choose exhibition games instead of joining mandatory events on the WTA’s competition calendar.

Mendoza also revealed that PHILTA met with some officials of the International Tennis Federation, which gave its utmost support during Eala’s Asian Games campaign.

The turning point came after the WTA asked PHILTA if joining the Asian Games was an Olympic qualifier for the upcoming Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

After Mendoza said yes, the WTA did not respond further, clearing Eala’s case, as she was supposed to receive a USD 10,000 (PHP 628,040) fine.

In retrospect, PHILTA, together with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, filed an official request with the WTA on Sept. 17, 2026, regarding Eala’s possible sanctions.

The special exemption request, which sought to spare Eala from paying the fine, was part of the government’s support for the 21-year-old Filipina ace.

The quick response came after Sen. Erwin Tulfo called on the PSC, POC, and PHILTA during the plenary session on Sept. 14, 2026.

“Dear colleagues, I believe this is the time for our government to step in,” Tulfo said.

“Kung pagmultahin siya dahil pinili niyang kumatawan sa ating bayan, hindi ba nararapat lamang na magpaabot ng tulong o suporta ang gobyerno sa kanya?”

Despite failing to advance to the gold medal match, Eala still delivered a bronze medal to the PHL delegation after her 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 loss to China’s Wang Xiyu.