Filipina tennis player Alex Eala expressed doubts that she could compete in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
Eala, the first Filipina to win a junior Grand Slam singles title, said n Tuesday, February 7, that the schedule of the 32nd SEA Games might interfere with her campaign for the French Open, set from May 28 to June 11.
The 32nd SEA Games will open on May 5 and close on May 17.
"I would love to represent the Philippines again in the SEA Games but, from what I know, it might interfere with the (qualifiers) of French Open and the preparation prior," Eala said during a press conference organized by Globe and the Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) in Taguig.
"I haven't yet sat down with my team and discussed whether that is something going to be included in the schedule for sure," she added.
In the last SEA Games held in Vietnam, Eala won three bronze medals.
The 2022 US Open Juniors champion also cannot commit to joining the Philippine delegation in the 2023 Asian Games, which will run from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China.
"I would love to join the Asian Games. I have never competed in that yet and I have heard very good stories, very good experiences from other players, but again I would have to check if it collides with any of the important tournament that I plan to join this year," Eala said.
Eala stressed that she seeks to join as many Grand Slam tournaments as she can in 2023, and improve her placement in the world rankings.
"I think for a tennis player, the goal is really to join the Grand Slams. Those are going to be my goals for this year, to get as many Grand Slams as I can," the 17-year-old tennis player said.
Aside from Eala, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann said that Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and two-time world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo will not compete in the SEA Games.
Bachmann explained that Diaz and Yulo will compete in the Olympic qualifiers, which will coincide with the schedule of the SEA Games.
