Tulfo urges state assistance amid Eala’s possible WTA fine

Senator Erwin Tulfo recently called for the government’s help amid Alex Eala’s possible Women’s Tennis Association fine for skipping a mandatory tournament to represent the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

During the plenary session on Sept. 14, 2026, Tulfo called on the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Philippine Tennis Association to act fast and lend a helping hand to Eala.

“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?”

The Filipina ace is obligated to compete in the China Open, a WTA 1000 event, because of her No. 18 world ranking under the organization’s rulebook.

According to reports citing the WTA rulebook, players who qualify directly for a mandatory WTA 1000 event are generally required to participate, and Eala could face a USD 10,000 (PHP 629,000) fine if her exemption request is denied.

National-team participation does not automatically exempt a player from sanctions, although a player may seek a waiver from the WTA.

Due to the scheduling conflict between the China Open and the Asian Games, Eala had to choose one tournament and publicly expressed her intent to reunite with the national team for some unfinished business.

“She shouldn’t have to carry that burden alone,” Tulfo added.

“Kung ang kanyang puso ay nasa Pilipinas, kung gusto niyang isuot ang ating national colors at lumaban para sa ating bansa, let us support her decision.”

During a press conference with BPI in Makati on July 14, 2026, Eala vowed to build on her 2022 Asian Games campaign, in which she delivered a pair of bronze medals to the PHL delegation.

Eala reached the women’s singles semifinals but fell to China’s Qinwen Zheng, 1-6, 7-6, 3-6, for her first bronze and added one more when she partnered with PHL national team mainstay Francis Casey Alcantara in the mixed doubles event.

Despite failing to clinch a gold medal, Eala still ended the 2022 Asian Games on a high note, breaking the PHL’s 61-year medal drought in individual women’s tennis.

A lot has happened in the four-year span, as Eala transitioned from being a Grand Slam junior champion in 2022 to earning direct entry into WTA main draws.

More powerful and decisive on the court, Eala will reinforce the PHL national tennis team after skyrocketing from world No. 219 to world No. 18 in just four years.