Philippine sensation Eala appears ahead to Asian Games ‘enjoyable’

The rising 21-year-old might be favorite to win ladies’s singles gold when the Games start in Japan on September 19.

At the earlier version of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went residence with bronze medals in singles and combined doubles.

Much has modified for Eala since, final month changing into the primary participant from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 on the planet.

Her ground-breaking exploits have made her a celebrity again residence.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala mentioned after her agonizing three-set loss to United States teenager Iva Jovic in New York on Saturday.

Proud Filipino Eala has been an everyday on the Southeast Asian Games, profitable singles gold final yr, and she or he added: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.

“I feel they’re actually reminiscences that keep on with me.”

China’s Zheng Qinwen received Asian Games singles gold three years in the past on residence turf.

She won’t defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya.

Also not concerned might be Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who might be in motion on the China Open in Beijing.

Eala will miss Beijing figuring out that gold on the Asian Games will seal an automated berth on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is ready to play on the Singapore Open on September 21-27, with the Asian Games ladies’s singles beginning the identical day that Singapore ends.

© 2026 AFP