Alex Eala’s influence shines again as Philippines look to host major tennis event in 2027

Alex Eala has changed tennis since bursting onto the scene last year.

Earlier this year, the Philippines hosted a tennis tournament in Manila, something that likely would never have happened without Eala's surge in popularity.

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The 2026 Philippine Women's Open was a success, and tennis officials now want the nation to hold a different event in 2027…

The Philippines want to host the Billie Jean King Cup in 2027 with Alex Eala playing

During an interview with 'Sports Radio 918', Philippine Tennis Association executive director Tonette Mendoza discussed the prospect of hosting the 2027 Billie Jean King Cup.

"We're also trying to work out because we just got promoted to Group One of the Billie Jean King Cup. We're trying to have it here because Alex [Eala] will be playing; Alex might be playing… It's not definite, but she might be playing, so it would be good to have a tournament here with her, for the country, so that everybody can come and watch," she said.

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The Philippines will play in Group One Asia/Oceania next year after their recent promotion. Hong Kong and five other teams (TBD) will join them.

Eala last played for her nation's Billie Jean King Cup team in 2024, winning all four matches she played, dropping just two games. However, she was playing much weaker opposition, as the Philippines were in Group Three Asia/Oceania at the time.

Alex Eala's Billie Jean King Cup record (4-0)

Alex Eala defeated Fremont Gibson (Guam), 6-0, 6-0

Alex Eala defeated Mubaraka Al-Naimi (Qatar), 6-0, 6-0

Alex Eala defeated Abhilasha Bista (Nepal), 6-0, 6-0

Alex Eala defeated Malaylack Delilah Pathummakuronen (Laos), 6-1, 6-1

If she returns to the side in 2027, she will play some of the best Asian stars in women's tennis. The winners of Group One Asia/Oceania advance to the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs, which is one step away from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

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Each year, a nation is selected to host the qualifying groups, and Mendoza is keen for the Philippines to welcome the six other Group One teams in 2027. With the home crowd cheering Eala and her teammates on, you would fancy their chances of advancing to the playoffs.

Alex Eala's chances of winning the Asian Games rated

The 21-year-old could play for her country at next year's Billie Jean King Cup, but will suit up for the Philippines before then. Eala will play for the Philippines at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

Mendoza has now rated Eala's chances of winning a medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

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"Her chances are really very strong because when I was speaking to some Asian tennis officials over the summer, they were saying it was actually really only Alex and Janice [Tjen] who were in the top 100 [who were going to play]. But we didn't like to announce it. Now it's wider, because even Lanlana Tararudee is not going. I think I saw her name in the China Open," said Mendoza.

"So, she has a very good chance. I think maybe more than one medal. Shaira [Hope Rivera] is very well prepared to play doubles, and Nino [Francis Casey Alcantara] has been winning, so I think we have a good chance for medals."

Several top Asian players will miss the Asian Games, choosing to play the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open instead. Elena Rybakina, Qinwen Zheng, Janice Tjen, and others will all skip the 2026 Asian Games. Therefore, Eala will arrive in Aichi-Nagoya as the gold-medal favourite.

She could also win medals in doubles, mixed doubles, and the team event. Eala won bronze in mixed doubles at the 2022 Asian Games and took bronze in the women's doubles, mixed doubles, and women's team event at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

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Eala will have a 'golden' opportunity to take home several medals when the 2026 Asian Games tennis event begins on Sunday, September 27.

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