The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) did not impose a fine on Filipino tennis player Alex Eala for skipping the mandatory China Open to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games, Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Executive Director Tonnette Mendoza said Thursday.

Speaking at a Senate Committee on Sports hearing on Oct. 8, Mendoza said the association asked the WTA to waive any potential penalties after Eala independently chose to compete for the country in the Asian Games, an event that serves as an Olympic qualifier.

Sen. Bong Go raised concerns that Eala could face financial penalties and ranking consequences for missing a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament in favor of national team duty.

Mendoza said the WTA asked whether Eala had made the decision voluntarily and whether the Asian Games served as an Olympic qualifier for the Philippines.

“We said yes, she made the decision on her own and it’s an Olympic qualifier and they just never got back to us,” Mendoza said.

She explained that WTA rules on penalties for missing mandatory tournaments were designed primarily for players who skip events to participate in exhibitions, with no clear provision addressing players who prioritize representing their countries.

Mendoza added that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) expressed support for players choosing national team competitions over mandatory professional tournaments during a meeting the previous week.

The WTA also sent her revised rules for the following year late last week, which she said could help players who want to represent their countries.

Asked by Go whether Eala had been penalized, Mendoza shook her head.

Mendoza said the issue had gained attention after concerns emerged that the Philippine government was opposing potential sanctions against Eala for her decision to represent the country.

“I think na-pressure everybody na they cannot now impose a fine on a person who wants to represent the country,” said Mendoza.