Will Alex compete in SEA Games? Philta keeps fingers crossed

Sports

IT’S been more than two decades since the Philippines won a gold medal in the women’s tennis singles event of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The country will stand a good chance of ending the long drought if one of the world’s rising tennis players will be able to suit up for Team Philippines in the biennial meet’s 33rd edition in Thailand this December.

Officials of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) are keeping their fingers crossed that Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala gets to join Team Philippines, which has not won a gold in women’s tennis singles since 1999.

It was Maricris Fernandez-Gentz who produced the Philippines last gold in women’s singles event in the Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei SEAG.

PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza disclosed that Eala “seems very excited” about rejoining Team Philippines but her hectic schedule remains a big issue.

Then 16 years old, Eala suited up for Team Philippines in the 2022 Sea Games in Hanoi where she delivered three bronzes via the singles, mixed doubles, and team events.

Mendoza said the 33rd SEA Games is happening at a time when the 20-year-old Eala will be busy preparing for the Australian Open in January 2026.

Eala, currently ranked No. 65 in the world, has just returned to action after taking a brief break. She competed in the National Bank Open in Canada but lost in the opening round. Her next WTA1000 competitions will be in Cincinnati and Monterrey.

Eala is fine-tuning her arsenals for her much-awaited debut in the main draw of US Open, scheduled in the last week of this month.(CCM)