PH Women’s Open Nears Historic Debut as Fans Ask: Where Are the Tickets?

With less than two weeks to go before the historic Philippine Women’s Open, the first WTA 125 tournament ever held in the country, excitement has been building — but so has a growing frustration from fans: where are the tickets? Set to take place from January 26 to 31 in Manila, the Philippine Women’s Open marks the debut of a WTA event in the country and places the Philippines firmly on the global tennis calendar for the first time.

Organizers already have a strong foundation to promote. A 32-player singles draw and 16-team doubles competition will offer a total prize purse of $115,000, attracting established and rising talent from around the world. The provisional field includes seasoned competitors like former world No. 17 Donna Vekić, as well as Tatjana Maria (World No. 45), Xinyu Wang (No. 55), and others who bring depth and international experience to the event.

Perhaps most compelling for local fans is the presence of Alexandra “Alex” Eala, the 20-year-old Filipino star who continues to defy expectations on the global stage. Eala, already a WTA Top 50 player with historic achievements in 2025, including becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA title and reaching major milestones like a Miami Open semifinal, was awarded a wildcard entry to the Philippine Women’s Open by tournament organizers.

However, her participation still hinges on her schedule, including her run at the Australian Open, underscoring the balancing act between global competition and national pride.

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HERE COME THE YOUNG GUNS

A wave of young standouts is set to make its mark at the inaugural #PhilippineWomensOpen, slated for January 26–31 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, as they test themselves against elite competition.#WTA #TennisPH

Philippine Women’s Open pic.twitter.com/N9cYYcpGDd

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 8, 2026

Against this backdrop of historic firsts, what’s missing — and increasingly talked about — is something fans can tangibly engage with: ticket availability. A wave of comments across social media particularly with the tournament’s official Facebook page,  highlights confusion and concern, with many expressing disbelief that ticket release information has yet to be made public this close to the tournament start date. 

For supporters eager to witness top-tier tennis live — and possibly cheer on a homegrown star like Eala — the silence feels out of sync with the event’s significance.

In today’s sports ecosystem, momentum and fan engagement often move in lockstep with accessibility. Confirming player fields builds anticipation; releasing tickets converts that anticipation into experience. When tickets lag behind, especially for a historic occasion like this, it feeds uncertainty — even if logistics are still being finalized.

It’s worth noting that preparations are ongoing off the court, including facility upgrades at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center to meet WTA standards, with significant investment committed to ensuring the venue is world-class. These developments reflect strong institutional support and signal commitment from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Tennis Association (PTA).

Yet the story remains incomplete without clear communication about ticketing. For both long-time tennis fans and a broader sports audience newly interested in the game because of Eala’s rise, access is key. Fans want not just to watch global stars and local heroes compete — they want to be there in the stands.

As the Philippine Women’s Open draws closer, organizers still have a valuable opportunity to match the tournament’s historic promise with the practical details that make fan participation possible. It’s not just about having the stars — it’s about letting the fans in to watch them shine.

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