Alex Eala’s loss in the Hong Kong Open final highlights a problem that Carlos Alcaraz has been talking about for years.
Alex Eala’s loss to Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final has highlighted a big issue that Carlos Alcaraz has been talking about for years. After a tough 90-minute match, Liu won 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday and called 21-year-old Eala “such an inspiration” for women’s tennis, saying she’s the perfect person to “lead the charge” for the next generation.
Eala, holding back tears, gave a heartfelt speech after the match that brought Liu to tears too. She thanked the organizers and her team for supporting her journey to amazing success in 2026, including her first WTA singles title at the Washington Open in August.
At the start of the final, Eala played well and even broke Liu’s serve early, but an injury to her right knee slowed her down. She had to get treatment during the match and was trailing 4-3 when Liu won two more games to take the first set. Despite her effort, Eala struggled with her fitness after her knee was taped, and Liu took control to win in straight sets.
Eala has had a tough 2026, playing 70 matches — more than anyone else on the WTA tour — with 45 wins and 25 losses. Her uncle, Noli Eala, shared a post on X showing how many matches she’s played and wrote, “Does not even count the games she played at the Asian Games. Time for a well-deserved rest.”
Many noticed Eala looked very tired during the tournament and needed a break. She explained that feeling tired means she’s working hard, playing a lot, and facing strong opponents who push her to her limits. But her injury shows a bigger problem with the WTA’s busy schedule. Playing in 24 tournaments in 2026 has worn her down physically and mentally. Even though she reached a career-high rank of 17, players are being pushed too hard.
Other top players have spoken up about this. Iga Swiatek called the tennis calendar “too intense” and “crazy,” criticizing rules that make players compete in over 20 tournaments yearly. She says it hurts their mental health and well-being. Aryna Sabalenka also called the schedule “insane” and said she plans to skip some events to protect her body and avoid injuries.
Carlos Alcaraz, a top player on the men’s tour, has also warned about the packed calendar. In September 2024, he said, “they are going to kill us in some way.” He explained many players will miss tournaments because of injuries caused by the tough schedule. Sometimes, he even struggles with motivation due to so much tennis. “Sometimes I don’t feel motivated at all,” he said. “But I play my best when I smile and enjoy it on court.”
Despite his and others’ concerns, the ATP has not yet made any changes to the schedule. For now, players like Eala are pushing their limits, showing incredible dedication, but clearly needing more time to rest and recover.