Why Alex Eala will now almost certainly be punished by the WTA for representing the Philippines at the Asian Games

Alex Eala, fresh from her historic run at the US Open, will now head to Singapore as her busy schedule continues.

However, this WTA 500-level event only really feels like a preparatory tournament for the one that really matters for her, as she will then travel to Nagoya to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games.

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The opportunity to represent a nation that has consistently shown up for her over the past year and beyond was one she could not deny, even if it means she will have to miss the China Open.

This is clearly a sacrifice Alexandra Eala was willing to make, even if a threatened WTA sanction loomed.

The hope was that it would not come to this, and that the governing body of women's tennis would see sense with national representation so important to these players.

Sadly, that has not been the case.

Alex Eala's Asian Games rival withdraws due to WTA threat

It almost seems ironic now that it was almost celebrated when two of Eala's biggest rivals for the gold medal withdrew from the Asian Games, given that we now know the reasons why.

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After all, world number 35 Janice Tjen has since taken to social media to reveal that she will not be able to represent Indonesia because the WTA have not granted her an exemption.

She wrote: "After a lot of consideration, I've had to make the difficult decision that I won't be able to compete at the Asian Games this year, which take place at the same time as the mandatory WTA 1000 event in Beijing.

"We have received confirmation from the WTA that unfortunately, I have not been granted an exemption to compete at the Asian Games"

The WTA Tour are wrong to not grant an exemption to those playing at the Asian Games

Whilst it's obvious why the WTA Tour are keen not to allow a handful of their biggest stars to depart for the Asian Games, it feels totally unfair to actively punish them for preferring to represent where they came from.

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After all, this is a continent where national pride is celebrated, and the opportunity to perform and win for their country is paramount.

To then discourage such admirable dedication with sanctions is embarrassing, especially when the players themselves will know the sacrifices they have had to make by missing one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar.

Eala must be credited for seemingly ignoring these threats, but Tjen cannot be admonished for giving in either.

Regardless, the WTA Tour have made a serious error by not granting an exemption to their Asian Games participants, and it could leave many players feeling rather bitter and resentful in the years to come.

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