IN RECENT years, tennis has been steadily gaining momentum in the Philippines, largely driven by the rise of homegrown star Alex Eala. Now, the sport is experiencing a resurgence unlike anything the country has seen before.
Earlier today, World No. 58 Eala delivered another valiant performance in the quarterfinals of the Suzhou Open WTA 125, pushing her match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic to the brink.
Despite falling short in a hard-fought match, 6-2, 2-6, 6(0)-7(7), the 20-year-old Filipina’s impressive run is a strong testament to the growing strength of Philippine tennis on the international stage.
After a slow start to the year marked by early-round exits, Eala has strung together deep tournament runs that reflect not just her own development, but also the increasing support and progress of tennis in the country.
Building on this growing momentum, discussions are now actively underway for the Philippines to potentially host its own WTA 125 tournament, tentatively scheduled to take place from January 26 to February 1, 2026.
WTA in the Philippines?
The proposed WTA 125 Philippine Open took a step closer to reality during a meeting held on Monday, September 29, between the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (PHILTA), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
One of the key points discussed was the possibility of opening the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts to the public—a move aimed at bringing world-class sport closer to everyday Filipinos and inspiring a new generation of local talent.
“Our partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission paves the way for a new chapter in Philippine tennis,” Tiangco said, the secretary general of Philta.
“From pursuing the hosting of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open and ITF J30 to exploring the opening of Rizal Memorial courts to the public and building the Philippine Tennis Center in New Clark City, we are bringing world-class opportunities closer to home.”
“Tennis transforms lives, and with PSC’s support, we are determined to help Filipinos rise and shine on the world stage,” he went on to say.
Sports Tourism
Gregorio also sees the initiative as a chance to put the Philippines “firmly on the global tennis map.” He emphasizes, however, that the journey begins at home—by making the sport more accessible to Filipinos in a country where tennis has long stayed on the sidelines.
“This is more than a tournament. This is about giving our athletes the chance to test themselves against the world’s best, inspiring the next generation, and placing the Philippines firmly on the global tennis map,” he said.
“The greatest champions began their journeys on public courts. By opening access and investing in world-class events, we are giving Filipinos the same chance to dream big and achieve greatness,” the PSC chair added.
In addition, hosting events like the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the recent 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship has already helped boost the country’s sports tourism efforts. Now, tennis is also being brought into focus.
“Kasama po ito sa programa natin, sports tourism,” Gregorio said. “The tourism component is to help promote our country through sports. Kaya itong WTA, isang malaking proyekto ulit ‘yan.”
