A possible stumbling block for Alexandra Eala as Asian Games involvement thrown into doubt after big rival withdraws

The Asian Games is a huge opportunity for many players from that specific part of the world to represent their country on the biggest stage in their respected sport. Alexandra Eala is set to do that with immense pride for the Philippines, but a huge fine may be coming her way with a fellow WTA talent having to withdraw from the tournament.

Janice Tjen will no longer be competing in the Asian Games. While a boost for Eala, with the Indonesian being her toughest challenger in terms of the WTA rankings, it is a warning sign that the WTA may not appreciate her competing away from their tour.

Eala is one of the biggest names not just in tennis currently but in Asian sport. Over the last year, her fame and recognition in her home country of the Philippines have skyrocketed to unbelievable levels. Many now regularly follow her progress on the big stage as they watch her progress through the ranks at lightning pace.

Taking gold at the Asian Games would be a real special moment for the 21-year-old as she looks to prolong her scintillating form she has enjoyed since the grass swing.

There may be some obstacles in the way of Eala ahead of competing in the event, taking place from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya, Japan.

Tjen was also hopeful of challenging for the top step of the podium, following in the footsteps of Lany Kaligis, Lita Sugiarto and most recently Yayuk Basuki as Indonesians to win gold in the singles. However, she will not be adding her name to this prestigious list anytime soon.

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the 24-year-old withdrew from the Asian Games after the WTA rejected her exemption appeal.

The tennis will be competed between September 27 and October 3, not clashing with either the Singapore Open or Korea Open but meaning that participants will be forced to miss the China Open, the penultimate WTA 1000 event of the year. It is a tricky decision to be made with a number of ranking points possibly being left on the table.

Adding to that, there could be a fine of up to $10,000 coming the way of Eala if she plays at the Asian Games without the approval of WTA. Nevertheless, with Eala being such a popular figure, there is being work done to get her request approved. None other than Philippine senator Erwin Tulfo has asked for the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee to find a legal way to assist Eala if she is fined.

“If she is to be fined for choosing to represent our country, isn’t it only fitting for the government to extend assistance or support to her?” Tulfo said to ABS-CBN News.

That is a big question and a tricky cunundrum for Eala. If they cannot get permission to compete by the WTA, will she still want to participate while swallowing that huge fine?

Eala has never competed at the China Open before. She will very likely compete in the event in Beijing one day in the future, but the Chinese capital may have to bide their time and wait another year before she steps onto court.

The Asian Games, however, pose a huge opportunity for Eala to break new ground and continue making history for her country. In the singles event, fellow countrywoman Desideria Ampon reached the final in the first edition back in 1958, losing comfortably 6-1, 6-2 to Japanese Sachiko Kamo. That is the only time a Filipina has reached the final. Eala has the chance to go one step further.

In recent times, the event has been dominated by China. The last two finals have been an all-Chinese affair, with them having swept up the prior five editions in the women's singles. Zheng Qinwen is the reigning champion, but she has joined a long list of noticeable tennis players to have opted out of the tournament in both the mens and womens.

Not Eala in this current moment in time. Her form in recent times has been brilliant. The main run came at the DC Open, where she got the better of some of the best tennis players in the world to seal a maiden WTA title. Her most recent showing came at the US Open, where fellow young talent Iva Jovic took her down in a three-set thriller. Eala will now focus on success at the Singapore Open before making the trip to Japan to represent her country.