PSC chief Gregorio optimistic about growth of Philippine tennis with maiden WTA 125 event

Manila is poised to deliver a landmark moment for Philippine tennis as it gears up to host its first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament, a milestone that could reshape the sport’s local landscape for years to come.

The Philippine Women’s Open has officially been included in the 2026 WTA calendar, bringing a WTA 125-level event to the country and placing the Philippine capital firmly on the international tennis map. For a nation that has long produced passionate tennis supporters but rarely enjoyed elite-level tournaments on home soil, the announcement signals both a breakthrough and a long-awaited opportunity for the sport to grow.

Set to run from January 26 to 31, 2026, the tournament will be played on hard courts and will feature a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles bracket. With a total prize commitment of $115,000, the Philippine Women’s Open will offer valuable ranking points and a competitive platform typically designed for emerging talents and established tour players seeking momentum, match play, or a pathway back into higher-tier WTA tournaments.

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Beyond the numbers and the format, the event carries major significance for Filipino fans and athletes alike. It will give local supporters the rare chance to watch world-class women’s tennis up close, while also providing Philippine players an invaluable stage — one that comes with the added advantage of playing in familiar conditions and with home-crowd support.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio visited the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Thursday, January 22, to inspect preparations and speak about what the tournament could mean for the future of tennis in the country. Gregorio expressed optimism that this initial step could eventually lead to bigger WTA-level events in Manila.

GAME ON, PILIPINAS 🇵🇭🎾

PSC chairman Pato Gregorio personally inspected the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Tennis Center as preparations heat up for the inaugural #PhilippineWomensOpen happening next week. | via Jan Ballesteros/One Sports#OSOnTheSpot #WTA125Manila pic.twitter.com/icc9J3ptaM

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 22, 2026

“Right now, it’s 125. Next year, it could be 250. By 2028, it might be 500 or 1,000. So this is good for Philippine tennis,” Gregorio said.

WTA tournaments are categorized by tier, with the number reflecting the ranking points awarded to the champion — an indicator of the level of competition and the prestige attached to the event. As it currently stands, the Philippine Women’s Open will debut as a WTA 125 tournament, a category often populated by rising stars, developing prospects, and players working their way toward the main WTA Tour.

Gregorio also emphasized that hosting an international tournament is not only about staging matches but about creating momentum around national sports programs and allowing Filipino athletes to gain more recognition from the public. He believes events like this can bridge the gap between global success and local appreciation, ensuring that athletes competing internationally also get meaningful exposure at home.

“This is what we have been waiting for. If we have Filipino athletes succeeding in the international field, on the world stage, it is a must that we organize something to host them in the Philippines. It’s what we wanted for Senator Manny Pacquiao, it’s what we requested for Gilas Pilipinas and for Alas Pilipinas,” he added.

The Philippine Women’s Open could also serve as a strong platform for the country’s brightest tennis talent, especially with fan interest expected to surge around Filipina sensation Alex Eala, who has continued to draw attention with her performances on the international stage. With Eala becoming one of the country’s most recognizable names in tennis, the inaugural WTA tournament in Manila is likely to generate strong turnout and renewed excitement for the sport.

To ensure the Rizal Memorial courts are ready for the demands of elite competition, the PSC is currently spearheading renovations aimed at meeting international standards. Improvements include upgrades to the playing surface, facilities, and player areas — key requirements for a tournament carrying WTA sanctioning. In addition, an extra 2,000 seats have been installed to accommodate the crowd expected to flock to the historic venue, turning the complex into a showcase arena capable of staging one of the biggest tennis events ever held in the Philippines.

With the countdown to January 2026 underway, the Philippine Women’s Open represents more than just another entry on the global calendar. It marks a statement of intent — that Manila is ready to host, support, and celebrate top-level tennis, and that Philippine tennis is entering a new era built on visibility, opportunity, and international relevance.

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