a try. It’s very nice to be around another Indonesian on tour.”
Asian Tennis: A New Era
The emergence of Eala and Tjen, along with other rising stars like China’s Shang, Japan’s Mochizuki, and Sakamoto, signals a new era in Asian tennis. The 2026 Australian Open will witness the participation of two Thai women – Lanlana Tararudee and Mananchaya Sawangkaew – in the main draw for the first time since the 2011 US Open.
“I know not a lot of players are able to have this platform and, you know, it’s a blessing to have this support behind me,” Eala echoed. “It is par for the course with a growing profile among Asia’s next crop.”
The shift from representing Uzbekistan in December 2025 to playing under her birth country, Polina Kudermetova, also joins this cohort at Melbourne Park.
A Journey of Challenges and Triumphs
For Mochizuki, the journey has been filled with challenges. “I remember some guys asking me, ‘How old are you?’ I didn’t know anything, I didn’t understand,” he shared in an interview. “Some Japanese guys helped me to tell them my age. It took a lot of time.”
It took about three years for Mochizuki to get used to the language and culture at IMG Academy in Florida, where he represented Japan alongside Osaka before focusing on his qualifying campaign.
Conclusion
A New Era of Asian Tennis
The rise of Eala and Tjen, along with other emerging talents, is reshaping the landscape of tennis. As they navigate the pressures of greater success, their journey serves as a testament to the potential for growth in Asian tennis. The 2026 Australian Open will undoubtedly be a significant milestone for this new generation of players.