Alex Eala was not penalized by the WTA for skipping a mandatory tournament to play for the Philippines at the Asian Games, PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza told the Senate Committee on Sports on Thursday.
When Senator Bong Go asked whether Eala had been sanctioned for missing the WTA 1000 China Open, Mendoza shook her head, Inquirer reports. The China Open was held at the same time as the Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
"The WTA just asked us a few questions: if she made a decision on her own, meaning it was not under pressure from anybody in the government or the national federation, and if it is an Olympic qualifier for our country," Mendoza said.
PHILTA answered yes to both. After that, the WTA did not respond.
"Reading the rules of the WTA, the penalties and whatever points when you miss the mandatory tournament is really designed for players who omit these tournaments because they want to play in exhibitions," Mendoza said. "It's silent on representing the country."
Mendoza met last week with the International Tennis Federation, now known as World Tennis. "They were very supportive of players representing the country," she said. According to Mendoza, the WTA also passed new rules late last week covering players who want to represent their countries.
Mendoza also said the government's public opposition to a penalty may have helped prevent a possible fine.
Eala won bronze at her second straight Asian Games after a semifinal loss to eventual gold medalist Wang Xiyu, who also earned direct qualification to the Los Angeles Olympics.
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