Alex Eala’s doubles partner sends her heartfelt message as they exit the Asian Games
Filipino tennis players Alex Eala and Shaira Rivera were eliminated from the Asian Games after a straight-sets loss to a Chinese duo. Despite the exit, Eala expressed optimism about the future of Filipino tennis and the potential for future partnerships.
Why it matters
The performance of athletes in regional games highlights the development of national sports programs and the personal career trajectories of rising tennis stars.
Alex Eala and Shaira Rivera lost to Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan 5-7, 2-6, in the second round of the Asian Games.
The Filipinas exited the competition in round two, losing in straight sets to the seeded Chinese duo. Eala and Rivera appeared to have found a route back into the match when Zhaoxuan required treatment for her back in the second set, but couldn't capitalise on the injury.
After Rivera hit the ball into the net to hand Zhaoxuan and Xinyu the victory, she sent a heartfelt message to Eala, her doubles partner in Aichi-Nagoya.
"I just want to thank Alex [Eala] for giving me this opportunity to play with her. I'm so grateful for everything, and I love her so much. I think we played good overall," said Rivera during an interview with 'One Sports'
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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