By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is back on the international tennis circuit, arriving in China to prepare for the Wuhan Open after representing the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games, where she secured her second consecutive women’s singles bronze medal.
Photos posted on the tournament’s official Instagram account showed the world No. 18 hitting the practice courts ahead of the WTA 1000 event, which runs from October 12 to 18.
Eala is projected to be the tournament’s No. 13 seed, placing her among the leading contenders in a 56-player singles field featuring several of the world’s top-ranked players.
The Filipina tennis star’s return also comes with a significant development off the court: she will not face penalties from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for skipping the mandatory China Open in Beijing to compete for the country at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) executive director Tonette Mendoza confirmed the development during a Senate Committee on Sports hearing on October 8.
Mendoza said PHILTA had consulted the WTA after Eala independently decided to represent the Philippines in the continental competition, which also served as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Eala reached the Asian Games semifinals before settling for bronze, extending her medal run in the event.
Before heading to Wuhan, she also made a stop in France to attend Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2027 show during Paris Fashion Week.
The Wuhan Open’s main draw begins Monday, October 12. The official draw will determine Eala’s opening-round pathway, with the projected No. 13 seed expected to receive a first-round bye.
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