Eala Picks the Asian Games: Zero Points and a WTA Fine

Alexandra Eala will skip the China Open in Beijing to play the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The world No. 18 risks a zero in the rankings and a financial penalty: the Chinese tournament is a mandatory WTA 1000, running September 30 to October 11, while the Games' tennis draw runs September 27 to October 3.

WTA rules require players who rank high enough to enter a mandatory 1000 event to show up, with only a handful of exemptions for age or long-term injury. Players who skip earn zero points for that tournament and a fine the rulebook sets at $10,000 for those ranked between No. 11 and No. 25 at the entry deadline. The Philippine federation PHILTA notified the WTA and requested a waiver. No answer has come yet. For Indonesia's Janice Tjen, who had filed the same request, the WTA said no, and Tjen withdrew from the Games.

PHILTA isn't waiting for a verdict.

"Alex will definitely play the Asian Games regardless of the WTA's decision,"

said executive director Tonette Mendoza.

Eala had explained the choice at a press conference at the US Open:

"I love playing and competing for the Philippine team. The Asian Games only come around once every four years, and I found myself drawn to the idea of going."

In Hangzhou, at the previous edition, she took home two bronze medals, in singles and in mixed doubles with Francis Casey Alcantara, stopped in the semifinal by Zheng Qinwen, who went on to win gold. Neither Zheng nor Tjen will be at Nagoya, both held back by WTA calendar obligations. Eala has decided to pay that price.