WTA 125 Manila remains stacked

Whether or not Alex Eala will grace next year’s Philippine Women’s Open will depend on her run in the Australian Open.

The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) said the Australian Open is set from 18 January to 6 February.

The Philippine Women’s Open, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event, takes place from 26 to 31 January at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“This WTA 125 event coincides with the Australian Open which lasts for two weeks. The Philippine Women’s Open will be in the second week,” PHILTA secretary general John Rey Tiangco said.

“If Alex keeps (on) winning and makes it to the third round, she won’t be able to compete here.”

Even if the world No. 50 Eala won’t get in, Tiangco still believes they can pull off a successful staging with foreign players, especially those getting eliminated early in the Australian Open, taking part.

“It won’t be a problem as there have been a lot of tennis players who have signed up. We will have players from 18 countries,” Tiangco said.

“Instead of going home after the Australian Open, they can come here in the Philippines to try their luck. Alex did something similar when she competed in the Guadalajara 125 Open after losing in the second round of the US Open.”

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said they are working tirelessly to make sure they will make the courts up to standard despite the short time frame.

“We can make it within the time frame. You have seen what we did at the Philsports Arena for futsal,” Gregorio said.

“Honestly, it is tight but with the support we have, I am confident that we can do it.”