ASAY–Barring developments that could either sound good or bad news for Filipino tennis fans, Alex Eala could be seeing action in the Philippine Women’s Open.
Former Philippine tennis star Dyan Castillejo, who has been chronicling Eala’s journey to become one of the world’s top 50 female racket artists, confirmed on Friday that the 20-year-old wunderkind has already registered for the event set to take place at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court in Manila from Jan. 26-31, 2026.
“I would like to tell you this early na nag-sign up na si Alex Eala,” said the now-renowned sportscaster, who hosted the press launch of the PH Women’s Open at Lanson Place here.
While signing up for the event is one thing, actually playing in it is another, as Castillejo also said that the tournament’s organizing team is aware that it will coincide with the Australian Open.
“Noong nag-apply kami for a professional tournament, ang binigay na open dates ng WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) were Jan. 24-31, and it is the second week of the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year,” she shared how they ended up with the schedule.
For being exactly at number 50 in the WTA rankings, Eala got an outright spot in the main draw of the Australian Open.
The only way for Eala to join the PH Women’s Open is if she gets knocked out early in both singles and doubles.
If Eala makes it to Week 2 of the Australian Open in either of the two divisions, she has to give up her spot in the PH Women’s Open.
“If she reaches the third round, then she will be playing in the second week, so she won’t be able to play. But if she loses in the first or second round, and we have time to fly her before the sign-in deadline for the main draw on Sunday, then she will be playing,” Castillejo detailed the scenarios.
Whether she makes it deep to the Australian Open or joins the PH Women’s Open instead, it will still be good news for tennis fans.
“We wanted her to advance. We also wanted her to play here, but either way, it’s a win-win for Philippine tennis because if she advances in the AO, imagine that, it means she would have been in the fourth round or the quarterfinals. So we have to applaud that,” Castillejo further said.
The bad news, of course, is that if she gets injured along the way, something the fans will not want to see happen.
