FOLLOWING an early exit at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada, Alex Eala suffered another setback as a shoulder injury forced her to pull out of the Cincinnati Open.
According to a report from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the Filipina tennis standout is expected to withdraw from the tournament scheduled this August to prioritize her recovery and overall well-being.
Details about the nature of her injury were not disclosed, but the Rafa Nadal Academy alumna’s withdrawal means Mexico’s Renata Zarazua will take her place in the main draw.
Eala last played on Monday at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Canada, where she went up against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. Despite winning the opening set, Eala eventually bowed out with a 6-3, 1-6, 2-6 loss.
It’s also worth mentioning that the 20-year-old athlete has had a relentless schedule, competing against elite players while constantly traveling since the start of the 2025 tennis season.
So far, she has played on hard courts early in the year, transitioned to clay in the mid-season, moved to grass by the second quarter, and returned to hard courts this August.
The WTA 1000 Masters would have been a valuable experience for Eala, especially with the presence of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former doubles partner and No. 2 Coco Gauff, but her health ultimately takes precedence.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) remains hopeful that Eala can still find a way to represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games later this year.
“She’s trying to fit it into her schedule,” PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza shared at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex earlier this week.
Currently ranked 65th in the WTA rankings, Eala would be a major asset for the national team at the biennial event. However, her immediate focus remains on recovering from her shoulder injury.
