The Guangzhou Open, known for its thrills and twists, was rocked by an unexpected episode. Rizza, the mother of Philippine tennis player Alexandra Eala, suddenly left the stands after her daughter’s defeat in the women’s doubles. The audience was speechless.
The doubles match had ended a few moments ago when Rizza suddenly stood up, visibly upset. According to eyewitnesses, he walked quickly towards the exit, muttering confused words: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”. The gesture sparked a wave of concern and curiosity among spectators.
Within minutes, social media caught fire. Hashtags like #Eala and #GuangzhouDrama have gone viral, with thousands of comments and theories. Some thought it was a health problem, others thought it was an internal conflict in the team. No one, however, could imagine the truth behind that moment.
Joan Bosch, current coach of Alexandra Eala, has decided to break the silence. “Rizza suffered a lot in silence,” he declared in an emotional voice. “She confided in me what was happening to her, but she didn’t want to tell Alexandra so as not to distract her before the match.” His words changed everything.
According to Bosch, the young tennis player’s mother had been subjected to violent insults by some Chinese fans. “They threw water bottles at her and called her offensive names,” the coach said. “They accused her of influencing the game, a completely unfounded accusation.” A deplorable gesture, which shocked the sporting world.
But the story doesn’t end here. Bosch added an even more serious detail: “Rizza heard the opposing team’s coach communicating via a hidden walkie-talkie. The chair umpire knew it, but chose to ignore it.” An accusation which, if confirmed, could shake the entire WTA circuit.
Rizza, despite the humiliation and anger, chose silence to protect her daughter. “He didn’t want Alexandra to feel guilty,” Bosch added. “She endured everything alone, until the moment she couldn’t take it anymore.” A wounded, but deeply devoted mother.
After the post-match press conference, Alexandra Eala found out everything. In tears, she hugged her mother and uttered words destined to go down in history. “You bastards, I will report you, don’t you dare touch my family!” — fifteen words of pain and courage that shook the world of tennis.
Eala’s statements sparked an immediate reaction. Fans expressed solidarity, while many international tennis figures called for an official investigation. The hashtag #JusticeForEala went viral in a few hours, symbolizing a battle against abuse and injustice in sport.
An official response has not yet arrived from the Guangzhou Open committee. Chinese sports authorities have announced “an internal investigation”, but public opinion remains skeptical. The lack of transparency risks compromising the credibility of the tournament and the local federation.
The episode highlighted a profound problem: the lack of protection for athletes’ families. Rizza Eala, a symbol of dignity and strength, is now seen as a victim of a system that often turns a blind eye to abuse. The world of tennis must change.
Despite the sporting defeat, Alexandra Eala demonstrated extraordinary courage. His determination to defend his mother and the truth represents a lesson in humanity. In a world often dominated by pressure and ego, the young Filipino tennis player reminded everyone that dignity is priceless.
