Alex Eala for sure is the name to watch in the upcoming 2026 WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open. But she’s not the lone Filipino representative in that tournament. There’s also Tenny Madis, another young Pinay tennis player ready to announce her name to the world.
Tenny Madis Is Ready for Her Next Big Moment
Madis was officially introduced as a competitor in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open during a press conference last January 13. She will compete in the main draw as a wildcard entry.
Born Tennielle Madis, the 18-year-old is no stranger to high-level tennis, as she was part of the Philippine tennis team that won a bronze medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand.
The tennis wunderkind from M’lang, Cotabato, is banking on that international experience in Thailand as she makes her debut on the WTA stage. In fact, for someone so young, Madis is unfazed by the big moment she’s about to face in a few days.
“I don’t see it as pressure, but I see it as a learning and grow po sa tennis ko po na career,” she said.
The two-time 2025 SEA Games bronze medalist also is set to compete in the doubles tournament along with her teammate, Stefi Aludo.
The inaugural Philippine Women’s Open is happening in just a few days, and Madis is certainly ready for her next big moment.
Madis’s Career Dreams
The Philippine Women’s Open will be Tenny Madis’ first-ever WTA-level competition. But if it were up to her, it won’t be the last. Instead, it will be the first of many.
“First, I’m just going to go with the flow lang po. And then if I have the chance, if God’s will, lalaro po ako ng mga ganitong tournament like WTA 125 and other women’s open tennis,” she said when asked about her career aspirations.
Tenny Madis might be trending up toward that career goal. Aside from excelling in the SEA Games, the Cotabato native also notched impressive victories in the Gentry Open Women’s Singles held at the Colegio San Agustin Tennis Stadium in Bulacan and in the Philippine Columbian Association Championship played at Plaza Dilao in Manila.
Inspired by Alex Eala and Everyone by Her Side
So what, or who, is motivating Tenny Madis to keep on reaching for her dreams? The answer’s simple: the people who have consistently been supporting her.
Madis said that growing up, she looked up to her older sister. And when her young tennis career began, she started looking up to Alex Eala as her idol.
“My sister and Ate Alex Eala,” she said when asked about her tennis inspirations. “Maglalaro po kami ng ka-doubles ko po na si Stefi Aludo, sinasabi niya [Alex] lang na laban, laban lang Tenny and Stefi. Kaya niyo ‘to.”
All-Out Support from PHILTA
As Tenny Madis prepares for her big moment, she can count on Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Executive Director Tonette Mendoza to give her and the association’s full support. In fact, Mendoza couldn’t hide her excitement when asked how she felt to have another Pinay tennis player compete in the WTA.
“Actually, ‘yan talaga ang gusto ni Alex, which is why when you see our poster, you’re going to see that, you’ll be surprised on who’s on the poster,” said Mendoza.
True enough, both Alex Eala and Tenny Madis are in front of the poster:
“So, Alex is very supportive because, of course, we as an organization, we’d like somebody to follow in her footsteps,” Mendoza added. “If Alex is not able to come here because she went deep in the Australian Open, her wildcard would be given to another Filipina, so ‘yun ang requirement niya.”
A Wildcard Entry Ready to Prove Herself to the World
Indeed, this upcoming WTA Philippine Women’s Open is an opportunity of a lifetime for Tenny Madis. And while Filipino fans are rightfully looking to see Eala play, Madis can win over the hearts of her countrymen with a strong effort.
It could be a lot to ask from an 18-year-old playing at this level for the very first time. But Tenny Madis is ready. She’s ready to prove herself to the world.
