PH Girls’ Tennis Team Ends World Pre-Qualifiers as 4th Place

THE Philippines’ 14 and under Girls’ Tennis Team proved that age is just a number, finishing fourth in the pre-qualifying tournament at the ITF World Junior Tennis Competition in Isah Town, Bahrain. 

Czarina Arevalo coached the national team in the event, which took place from February 17 to 22, 2025. Ayl Xyza Gonzaga, Ella Mhae Paglalunan, and Maristella Torrecampo competed. 

Despite failing to reach the podium, tennis fans are nevertheless astounded by how these young athletes represented the country in an international competition. Proving to most that the country’s tennis future is bright.

Gallant Stand for the Youngesters

They topped the group stage with victories over Syria (3-0) and Kyrgyzstan (2-1), advancing to the quarterfinals. Their momentum continued as they defeated Turkmenistan (2-1) in the knockout phase. 

However, they were defeated by Sri Lanka in the semifinals, and Lebanon overcame them in the playoff for third place. 

Given that there were 18 countries competing in the five-day competition, this resulted in a commendable fourth position. In the end, head coach Arevalo is delighted with the team’s performance.

“I am incredibly proud of how our girls performed at the World Juniors 14U Pre-Qualifying,” coach Arevalo said. “They showed remarkable fighting spirit, heart, and grit on court, which is just as important as winning.”

“Although we didn’t get the results we hoped for, this tournament was an invaluable learning experience for them.”

“They’ve gained valuable insights into what they need to work on to elevate their game to the international level. I have no doubt they’ll come back stronger and more determined than ever,” Arevalo added.

The Future is Bright

In recent years, the country’s most well-known tennis player has been Alex Eala, who recently dropped from career-best 134th to 139th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Rankings. 

This came after her frequent early exits in the early stages of her packed year-opening tournament, which placed her back from her objective of finishing in the top 100 of the WTA rankings. 

Nonetheless, these young Filipina athletes exhibited enormous potential, particularly 11-year-old Torrecampo, whose outstanding performance demonstrated the bright future of Philippine tennis on the global arena.

The road ahead is full with prospects for advancement, and the Philippines may be proud of the brilliance and spirit that these young ladies have demonstrated. 

The team’s performance is a shining example of what can be accomplished when passion and hard work combine, and it demonstrates that the future of Philippine sports is brighter than ever.