ALEX Eala’s bid for a historic Asian Games tennis gold medal will have one less stumbling block.
Indonesian women’s tennis star Janice Tjen, Eala’s friend and a regional rival, in a social media post on Friday night confirmed that she will not be able to represent Indonesia in Nagoya, Japan as she is set to swing in the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
Tjen said that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) did not grant her the exemption to compete in the Asian Games.
“After much consideration, I have made the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete in this year’s Asian Games, which will overlap with the mandatory WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing,” Tjen said.
Reigning champion Qinwen Zheng and powerhouse Wang Xinyu had earlier opted to skip the tournament in favor of the China Open that would be held right at home in Beijing.
In Hangzhou three years ago, Eala suffered 1-6, 7-6(5), 3-6 defeat to Chinese top seed Zheng, but successfully ended the country’s 17-year Asiad medal drought in tennis.
In a post-match press conference following her US Open third round loss to Iva Jovic, Eala said she chose to play in the Asian Games because she values competing for the Philippine team, citing happy memories in representing the flag in the last Asian Games and at the Southeast Asian Games last year.
“I think it’s a really fun environment and I love being with the team especially this last SEA Games in December. I had such a great time and I think they’re really memories that stick with me,” Eala said. “And the Asian Games happens once every four years. I just I found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff.”
Prior to the Asian Games, Eala is set to play in the WTA 500 event, Singapore Open.
Eala was initially considered for the prestigious honor as the country’s official flag bearer in the opening ceremony on September 19.
However, the 21-year-old will be arriving straight from the Singapore Open and needs crucial time to rest and focus on her upcoming Asiad matches.
Instead, Olympic boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas and world junior weightlifting champion Albert Delos Santos will carry the Philippine colors in the parade.
Eala headlines the Philippine tennis squad along with veteran Francis Casey Alcantara, Shaira Rivera, Tenny Madis, and Stefi Aludo in the competition beginning on Sept. 27.
In the women’s singles, Eala and Madis are entered in the biennial meet. Eala and Rivera will team up in doubles, while long-time partners Madis and Aludo will combine forces anew.
