During the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open press conference held on December 5 at Lanson Place in the Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio shared major updates on what the public can expect as the Philippines prepares to host a major tennis event in 2026.
Eala’s Participation Remains Uncertain Amid Australian Open Campaign
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has formally registered for the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, but her appearance remains doubtful due to a direct conflict with the 2026 Australian Open.
The home tournament runs from January 26 to 31 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, overlapping with the second week of the year’s first Grand Slam, scheduled from January 12 to February 1.
Event organizers from the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (PHILTA) stressed that Eala can only take part in the Manila event if she exits early in Melbourne.
Should she progress to the third round or deeper, she will be forced to skip the nation’s first WTA 125 competition. As PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco explained:
“This WTA 125 coincides with the Australian Open. Australian Open is two weeks, the WTA 125 is on the second week. So kung lumayo siya or manalo siya nang manalo at umabot siya ng third round, quarters, so hindi siya makakalaro sa WTA 125.”
The scenario presents what PHILTA considers a “win-win” moment for Philippine tennis: either Eala competes at home for the first time, or she advances deep in a Grand Slam, both of which elevate the sport’s profile. Board member Dyan Castillejo noted:
“The reality is, if Alex advances to the second week of the Australian Open, she will not be able to play in our tournament… so we’re kind of wanting to advance, we also want to see her play here, but either way it’s a win-win for Philippine tennis.”
A Milestone Born From Inspiration and Opportunity
The decision to pursue hosting a WTA tournament was sparked partly by Eala’s comments after her breakthrough main draw win at the US Open, where she said the Filipino community there made her “feel like she’s at home since there is no home tennis tournament.”
According to Tiangco, that moment pushed PHILTA into action.
“She’s actually one of the inspirations for having this [tournament]. After that interview, I got a message from a WTA officer… ‘Did you see this interview of Alex? We had to work on this.”
In response, PHILTA quickly mobilized support. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) partnered to bring the tournament to life and anchor it within the government’s broader push for sports tourism.
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio emphasized the significance of the initiative, saying that the rising popularity of tennis makes this “long-overdue” and that
“Kung nag-aambisyon lang tayo, we might as well think big in terms of hosting.”
Tiangco added that beginning with a WTA 125 event is essential for the nation’s long-term goal of hosting higher-level tournaments.
“This WTA 125 is very important… And for us to be able to host a higher WTA, we have to start from the bottom… If we do well and they notice that we can host, then they give us an extension of the franchise and upgrade the franchise.”
World-Class Renovation Underway at Rizal Memorial
To meet WTA standards, the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will undergo extensive refurbishment. Construction begins immediately following the ongoing ITF J30 event.
The overhaul includes resurfacing courts, enhancing locker rooms, improving player and official facilities, and building additional rooms as required by the WTA.
One of the biggest tasks is constructing bleachers that will accommodate more than 2,000 spectators, significantly higher than the minimum requirement of 750.
“One of our challenges when we were discussing with WTA was the venue… We have to do a lot of resurfacing, we have to put a lot of rooms, we have to fix the locker rooms, everything,” Tiangco shared.
Three competition courts and two practice courts will be used, with Courts 1 and 3 set to house the new stands and Court 2 designated as the center court.
PSC Chairman Gregorio acknowledged the tight timetable but remained confident, saying,
“We’ll start. If it has to be 24/7, it will be 24/7. We can make that happen.”
The renovation budget is projected between 50 million and 75 million pesos. The upgrades will extend beyond the courts. Gregorio emphasized that the entire complex will undergo improvements:
“When we say it’s not just a tennis court. It’s from the looking field. By the time you enter the complex until you get out, it will be very nice. It has to look world-class.”
Expanding Opportunities for Filipina Players
With Eala’s participation uncertain, wildcards may open doors for other Filipino talents. PHILTA confirmed that four wildcards will be available for the main draw and two for qualifying, offering local athletes a rare chance to compete against top-tier international opponents.
“Some of our players can actually play in the qualifying. So it’s a big opportunity… our top players to experience playing with the top players,” Tiangco said.
Already, more than 40 players from at least 18 countries have signed up, including competitors from Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Belgium, China, Thailand, Serbia, Russia, Belarus, Spain, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, France, Indonesia, and the U.S.
Planned Fan Experience and Community Engagement
PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza shared plans for a dedicated fan zone at the adjacent baseball field, featuring sponsor-driven activities, mini-tennis courts, and engagement programs for children and new players.
The goal is to immerse fans in tennis culture while making matches accessible to as many Filipinos as possible.
The aim is to encourage more Filipinos to watch professional tennis live, a rarity in the country until now. Tiangco summed up the moment perfectly:
“This is historic. This is the first time we’re having this and hosting this WTA women’s professional tournament. It’s a great opportunity for Filipinos to watch live top women professional players.”
