ALEX Eala will no longer be penalized for opting to play in the 20th Asian Games instead of the China Open, Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) executive director Tonette Mendoza said on Thursday during the Senate Committee on Sports hearing.
Mendoza made the disclosure in response to Senate Committee on Sports chairman Sen. Bong Go's question on possible WTA sanctions on Eala for playing for the Philippines in the Asiad where she ended up with a bronze medal in women's singles.
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“Thank you po sa government because it really went out that the government was opposing it. I think the government pressured everybody that they cannot now impose a fine on a person who wants to represent the country,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza said WTA is also set to impose new rules on similar instances starting next year.
“Late last week also, the WTA just passed new rules for the following year, which I think will help all the players wanting to represent their country,” said Mendoza.
Eala risked sanctions for playing in the Asian Games that coincided with the China Open, which like all WTA 1000 tournaments are mandatory for players in the top tier of the world rankings. Eala is ranked No. 18 in the world.
The issue soon reached the Senate as Sen. Erwin Tulfo called on the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to help out the Filipina tennis superstar.
Mendoza said it was Eala’s decision to participate in the Asian Games, a fact that was made known to the WTA when it made an inquiry on the circumstances that led to that choice.
“From the beginning, first we asked Alex if she was willing to join. She made a decision on her own that she wanted to represent the country. So we asked the WTA if they could waive any penalties that they may impose on her.
“So the WTA just asked us a few questions if she made the decision on her own, meaning it was not under pressure from anybody in the government or national federation, if it is an Olympic qualifier for our country, to which we said yes.
"She made a decision on her own and it’s an Olympic qualifier. Then they just never got back to us.”
Mendoza said based on Philta’s interpretation, Eala should not be sanctioned for choosing flag and country.
“Reading the rules of the WTA, the penalties and whatever points (you lose) when you miss a mandatory tournament is really designed for players who omit these tournaments because they want to play an exhibition. So it’s silent on representing the country,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza said Philta also got strong support from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) about Eala’s move to represent the country.
“World Tennis, the ITF, I met with them last week. They were very supportive of players representing their country and skipping a mandatory tournament,” Mendoza said.
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