ALEXANDRA Eala could face a less crowded field in the women’s singles competition of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after several prominent Asian and Southeast Asian players reportedly opted to skip the event.
The withdrawals are linked to a scheduling conflict between the Asian Games and the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing.
Under the WTA’s participation rules, players who choose the Asian Games over the China Open could face financial penalties and ranking-related sanctions. Requests for exemptions from the scheduling conflict have also reportedly been denied.
Among the notable players expected to miss the Asian Games are world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, reigning Olympic champion and defending Asian Games gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka of Japan, and Chinese players Wang Xinyu and Zhang Shuai.
Several leading Southeast Asian players are also reportedly withdrawing.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee and Mananchaya Sawangkaew are among those listed as skipping the Games to meet their WTA commitments in Beijing.
The developments could improve Eala’s chances of making a deep run in Nagoya, although the Filipina will still have to overcome the remaining field to contend for the gold medal.
Eala has chosen to compete in the Asian Games despite the reported consequences of missing the China Open. Her request for a special exemption for national-team duty was reportedly denied by the WTA.
A gold medal in the Asian Games women’s singles event would give Eala a direct qualification route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The decision underscores Eala’s commitment to representing the Philippines, even with the potential financial and ranking costs involved in prioritizing the continental competition over a mandatory WTA event. (Adrian Co)
