Manila Open wraps up hectic 2027 Asian swing

The Manila Open, a WTA 250 tournament, will serve as the final stop of the 2027 Asian swing, giving the Philippines another opportunity to showcase its growing tennis scene.

The second WTA-sanctioned tournament in the country will run from 1 to 7 November and will be separate from the Philippine Tennis Open, a WTA 125 event held every January.

The Philippines will join a loaded Asian swing that begins with the Singapore Open, a WTA 500 tournament, on 20 September.

The Beijing Open follows on 29 September, with the Wuhan Open starting on 11 October, before the Ningbo Open and Japan Women’s Open on 18 October.

The Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis and Guangzhou Open will be played on 25 October, while the Hong Kong Open and Manila Open will close out the swing on 1 and 7 November, respectively.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said bringing WTA events to the country should go beyond attracting international stars and spectators.

“You know, the purpose of hosting is not just to highlight the destination, but really to push grassroots development,” Gregorio said.

“It’s a great NSA (national sports association). So when you are progressive, it’s so easy to support and let’s do this in the next few years because I just see an upward trajectory as far as tennis is concerned.”

World No. 18 Alex Eala is expected to eventually compete in one of the tournaments as the WTA events become a regular fixture on the Philippine tennis calendar.

Philippine Tennis Association secretary general John Rey Tiangco credited Eala for helping fuel the sport’s growing popularity in the country, which he said contributed to the Philippines being given the opportunity to host two WTA tournaments.

“Thank you, Alex, for doing a great job promoting tennis. So many players want to play tennis and watch,” Tiangco said.

“It’s a nice problem that many cities and players want to host tennis tournaments. But I mean, there’s a clamor for more tennis.”