WITH or without Filipina tennis star, world’s no. 50 Alexandra Eala, the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, a WTA 125 tournament, has initially lured 40 of the world’s top players.
Local organizers took pride on the number of professional players that have signed up for the first-ever staging of the Women’s Tennis Association-level professional netfest slated to take place from January 26 to 31, 2026, in Manila.
With repairs and makeovers being rushed at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center venue, this will be the first time the Philippines will host a WTA 125 event.
“Hopefully, we can work together, and make this successful, and a memorable one to all who participated,” said Philippine Tennis Association secretary general and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, who talked about the event during a press conference at the Lanson Place inside the Mall Asia Complex in Pasay City.
The tournament is jointly organized with the assistance of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Eala’s stint is still up in the air and will depend on how far she will go in the Australian Open, as the two-week tournament will place from January 12 to February 1, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.
The Australian Open’s main draw action will begin on January 18, with Madison Keys defending her women’s singles crown.
The first week will be the qualifiers and the first two rounds.
Staging the Philippine Women is considered milestone for Philippine tennis as this will provide two local players with a rare opportunity of an international exposure at home as they are chosen as wildcard entries.
Tiangco explained if any player like Eala does not advance further into the Australian Open, they will have the option of flying to Manila to sign up.
