Philippine bets Stefi Aludo and Tennielle ‘Tenny’ Madis have concluded their run at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open doubles campaign as they fell to their Japanese opponents Mana Ayukawa & Kanako Morisaki with a score of 6-2, 6-2.
Loss in the Singles Tournament Had No Effect
Prior to the match today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, both Aludo and Madis had concluded their campaign in the singles tournament.
Tenny lost to Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, while Stefi Aludo lost to Sakura Hosogi.
And during their postgame interview, they quickly brushed off the idea that the result of their singles elimination affected their game style today.
“Well for us po we didn’t get affected naman po sa singles namin kase alam po namin na we have nothing to lose kase this is our first time playing in the WTA po and yun.” said Aludo.
Sadly, out of the four Pinay participants that the Philippine Tennis Association had sent out at the inaugural tournament, it was only Alex Eala who moved to the next round.
“Yung mindset namin is bahala na so we have to fight for it for every ball and yun and ganun din dito sa doubles namin we have to make a lot of strategies against sa kalaban namin and sa teamwork po namin” Stefi shared.
The two then later said words of appreciation for the opportunity given to them to compete at the greatest tennis association in the world.
“I’m so elated po kase nakalaro ko po yung mga pro and best players and naka ano po ako ng strategies kung paano pa mag laro ng doubles” said by the 18-year-old Tenny.
“And we’re so happy po kase we’ve made it this far sa ITF juniors lang kami and now WTA na so I’m so very happy,” Stefi added.
Eyes on the Prize for WTA Philippine Women’s Open Come 2027?
With the news that the Philippine Sports Commission President and Chairman, John Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio has announced that the Philippines had signed a 3-Year deal with the WTA, both teenage tennis players are open to coming back stronger next year if given the invitation to compete once again.
“Our response po siguro is babalik kami na matibay na po and then yun nga, as always po namin sinasabi, we will work hard talaga po on the court and even off court our discipline, which is to respect everyone, and our mindset din po and be humble to people always.” said Stefi.
Worth It to Comeback But Help Must Be Given
There’s no doubt that Aludo, Madis, Kaye Ann Emana, and Elizabeth Abarquez are all raw talents and can definitely still develop into competitive tennis players.
With both Tenny and Stefi already verbally committing if they are invited to compete again next year, then what’s stopping the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) from giving a helping hand to these players?
Sure, they are not on the same level as Eala or have come close to being like her. But they can be themselves if given the right and proper training and seminars in order for a better results by 2027.
