Alex Eala shrugs off injury scare after strong Philippine Open start

What briefly looked like a tense moment for Alex Eala turned into another reminder of her growing maturity on tour.

Midway through her opening-round match at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open on Monday night, the 20-year-old Filipina disappeared from center court and into the tunnel, prompting uneasy murmurs from the home crowd.

At the 43-minute mark of her Round of 32 clash with Russian Alina Charaeva, Eala called for a medical timeout and returned minutes later with her right thigh wrapped, raising questions about her physical condition so early in the tournament.

But any concern faded quickly once play resumed. Eala moved freely, dictated rallies, and cruised to a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory, never showing visible signs that the issue lingered. If anything, the interruption seemed to sharpen her focus, as she closed the match with authority and composure.

Afterward, Eala downplayed the episode, framing it as a routine challenge in a sport that constantly tests the body.

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LEX SEALS THE DEAL

Alex Eala caps off a commanding performance, controlling the match from start to finish to secure a straight-sets victory, 6–1, 6–2, over Alina Charaeva.#AlexEala #PhilippineWomensOpen #WTA125Manila pic.twitter.com/hL6S4SjyKX

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 26, 2026

“There’s a bit of discomfort, nothing serious. I have a day to spend to relax, wake up tomorrow and see how I feel,” she said following a delayed post-match interview.

The world No. 49 also spoke candidly about the realities of life on tour, emphasizing mental resilience as much as physical recovery.

“I think pain is definitely a part of an athlete’s lifestyle. We have to find ways to best manage that and not let it affect us mentally.”

For Eala, the moment became less about the scare and more about how she handled it—calmly, pragmatically, and without letting it derail her performance. As the tournament progresses, her opener served as an early signal that she is ready not just to compete, but to navigate adversity on her home stage.

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