Tennis hits Manila’s spotlight

When tennis hits Manila's spotlight

After making strides in her 2025 season, rising Filipina tennis star Alex Eala had a mission– to spread the tennis agenda to Filipinos.  

Fortunately, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) also had the same vision when they claimed the hosting of the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, the first-ever Women's Tennis Association (WTA) approved competition in the country. 

45-days and a dream

The hosting aspirations was made last 2 October 2025 while the announcement was officially cemented last 2 December 2025, where PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said that they are already bracing for the event slated in late January 2026. 

In order to successfully claim the hosting rights, the venue must have three world-class courts to enter the 125-level of the WTA tour to which Gregorio said that the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will be undergoing renovations. 

The event, made possible also with the supervision of Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), featured a 32-player singles draw and 16-team doubles field with a $115,000 prize pool.

In the year 2025, the Philippines hosted three international sporting events– the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, the Inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. 

Give Filipinos other sports to cheer on and they will deliver

The loud cheers from the Filipino spectators did not stop at Eala’s last match where she dropped out after a straight-set quarterfinals loss against the eventual champion Camila Osorio of Colombia. 

It persevered up until the final day, in the championship match between Croatian Donna Vekic and Osorio. 

At one point, Vekic was even referred to as “Tita Donna,” by some spectators and netizens. 

In return, the players also showed great appreciation to the several stuff given to them from the facilities to the warm welcome.

The finalists also expressed wanting to come back in the Philippines “in the future,” 

“I hope that there will be many more,” Vekic expressed. 

During the awarding ceremony of the WTA 125 last night, Gregorio lamented their lack of Christmas and New Year celebrations due to the preparations, but he also hinted at another version of a WTA-approved competition set next year. 

People may not consider the Philippines as a tennis-centric country after hosting a single international event now. But what makes it clear is that the nation supports anyone who gives glory to the Philippine flag and Filipinos are just…..enthusiastic when it comes to sports.