After early exits in the Oeiras Open and in the Madrid Open, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has pulled out of the Catalonia Open. But her father explained why this isn't a cause for concern.
Alex Eala caught fans by surprise after she withdrew her participation from the Catalonia Open, where she was supposed to be the six-seed in the tournament.
But there’s no reason to fret as it seems like the 19-year-old is simply looking to gain some all-important rest before she takes on bigger challenges in the coming weeks, especially as her first-ever foray into the main draw of a Grand Slam looms in Roland Garros next month.
Eala’s father, Mike, confirmed to One Sports that the Rafa Nadal Academy scholar is only taking a breather.
“No big issue. Just decided to have a week of training to prepare for the Italian and French Open,” he said in a message of Eala’s withdrawal.
Before her supposed participation in Catalonia, Eala was featured in the Madrid Open, where she faced off anew with world no. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Despite a spirited fight against Swiatek, Eala couldn’t finish off the upset this time. Instead, the Filipina lost in a three-set battle, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, in the second round.
She thus shifts her focus to the Italian Open, slated from May 6 to 18.
This will be the prelude to Eala’s debut in the French Open, marking the first time she will compete in the main draw of a grand slam as a pro.
She is currently ranked world no. 72 in the latest edition of the WTA rankings released on Monday, April 28.