The bid of Manila, Philippines, to host the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association in 2026 has now been finally approved, and the inaugural tournament will now be officially called WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open 2026.
Historic WTA 125 Event Set for January 2026
For the first time in the country’s history, the Philippines will welcome a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament, as the Philippine Women’s Open officially becomes part of the 2026 WTA season.
The week-long event, classified as a WTA 125 tournament, is scheduled for January 26–31, 2026, marking Manila’s long-awaited debut on the global WTA circuit.
Listed on the WTA website, the competition will be held on hard courts and feature a 32-player singles draw, a 16-team doubles bracket, and a total prize purse of $115,000.
The milestone firmly establishes the Philippines on the professional women’s tennis map after years of anticipation and planning from national sports officials.
Scheduling Clash with Australian Open Raises Questions
The tournament’s timing, however, directly overlaps with the 2026 Australian Open, which runs from January 12 to February 1.
This creates an immediate scheduling dilemma for world No. 50 Alex Eala, who is expected to make her main-draw debut in Melbourne, the only Grand Slam where she has yet to appear in the primary field.
As a Top-50 player, Eala is projected to be seeded in the Australian Open main draw starting January 18. Her ability to participate in the Manila event may depend on her performance in Melbourne, with the possibility of a homecoming appearance only becoming feasible if she has an early exit.
Reports across several outlets highlighted that her attendance remains uncertain for now, though the WTA listing has fueled hopes for her first-ever home event.
PSC Confident Eala Will Still Feature in Manila
Despite the calendar conflict, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio expressed optimism that the country’s biggest tennis star will still compete on home soil.
Addressing concerns early, he remarked that “Alex’s availability will not be an issue,” a reassurance he reiterated during internal meetings and previous interviews.
Gregorio emphasized that the PSC and the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) have been coordinating extensively to solidify preparations for the milestone event.
The PSC also confirmed via official channels that Gregorio recently convened with key government partners and PHILTA to iron out tournament logistics and final requirements for a WTA-standard competition.
Upgrades Underway at Rizal Memorial; Future Sites in Consideration
Major renovations are already in progress at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, which is expected to serve as the primary venue. Gregorio shared that the tennis courts will undergo significant refurbishment, enhancements to spectator seating are planned, and additional bleacher sections are being installed to host more than 2,000 fans.
“In the next few days, we’re going to renovate the tennis courts in Rizal, and we’re making sure to add more bleacher sets,” he previously explained, adding that the upgrades are designed to meet WTA facility requirements.
Long-term plans also include expanding to larger venues. Gregorio noted ambitions to attract bigger WTA events in future seasons, saying that “maybe we can go to bigger stadiums just like in Clark,” particularly once the Philippine Tennis Center in New Clark City is completed.
The soon-to-rise 10-hectare complex, jointly developed by PHILTA and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), is expected to serve as a premier venue for international competitions.
Eala’s Breakthrough Season Paved the Way
The Philippine Women’s Open arrives at a pivotal moment for the sport in the country, coming on the heels of Eala’s career-defining 2025 campaign.
Her victories over Grand Slam champions Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, and Iga Świątek helped elevate her into the Top 50, turning her into one of the fastest-rising young athletes on the WTA Tour.
Her 2025 accomplishments include becoming the first Filipina to win a main-draw match at a Grand Slam at the US Open and capturing her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open. Having climbed steadily through the rankings while playing exclusively abroad, the potential to finally compete in front of a home crowd is seen as a landmark moment for Philippine tennis.
Local sports officials and fans now eagerly await the complete player field for the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open, set to be announced by the PSC and PHILTA in the coming weeks.
A New Era for Tennis in the Philippines
With Manila locking in its first WTA-sanctioned event, the Philippine Women’s Open signals a major turning point for Philippine sports.
The tournament offers local players vital exposure, strengthens the country’s presence on the international tennis stage, and provides Filipino fans the opportunity to witness world-class women’s tennis up close.
While Eala’s participation remains dependent on her Australian Open journey, the prospect of seeing the nation’s biggest tennis star play at home underscores the significance of this historic moment, as it can definitely be the one that could mark the beginning of more WTA events on Philippine soil in the years ahead.
