“Alex is your best role model hero”: Former national team tennis coach lauds Eala

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 breakthrough 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 capital firmly on the international tennis map. For a nation that has long produced passionate tennis supporters but has rarely enjoyed elite-level tournaments on home soil, the announcement represents both a major step forward and a long-awaited opportunity to elevate tennis in the Philippines.

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 provide a competitive stage typically designed for rising talents, seasoned professionals seeking match sharpness, and players looking for a pathway back into higher-tier WTA events.

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Beyond the logistics and prize pool, the historic staging carries a deeper meaning: the Philippines will finally have a global women’s tennis event that can inspire young athletes, energize local supporters, and put homegrown talent in the spotlight.

Former national team coach Karl Santamaria described the tournament as a major turning point not only for the sport but also for Filipino fans, who now get the chance to show how tennis can thrive in a traditionally basketball-dominated country.

“For the Filipino fans, I know you are all excited to watch world-class tennis and also very excited to watch Alex. So I think this is a way to show the players who are going to participate and the fans watching from other countries, to see that this is how we support the players,” Santamaria said as quoted by The Inquirer.

While much of the buzz around the event will naturally revolve around Alex Eala — the country’s most recognizable tennis talent and one of Asia’s brightest prospects — Santamaria believes the tournament’s full impact will depend on how fans embrace the entire field, including other Filipinos who could earn places in the draw.

LOOK: Alex Eala visited the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and trained with fellow national team netter Tenny Madis at centercourt on Friday morning ahead of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open. | 📸: PSC via @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/e1tu1KmCEE

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 23, 2026

Santamaria stressed that support should extend beyond a single star if the sport is to grow into something sustainable.

“I think the impact of this now is a bit more global. We will give more support to Alex, but let’s give support to the other Filipino players and also the other players. Because they will give you world-class tennis,” he added.

Santamaria, 46, brings vast experience and credibility within Philippine tennis circles. Over the years, he has coached prominent players such as Clarice Patrimio and Francis Casey Alcantara, handled collegiate programs at University of Santo Tomas and National University, and has even assisted Eala during the 2020 preseason. Having watched Eala closely over the past several years, Santamaria believes the 20-year-old has become the strongest role model Filipino tennis has had in decades.

“Our culture is always searching for a hero. I think Alex is your best role model hero that you could possibly have. She has very good family values. She understands the responsibility of being not only a celebrity but an emerging global superstar. And she represents what it is to be a Filipino,” Santamaria continued.

Eala’s rise has already proven that Filipino tennis can command attention on the world stage. At the Australian Open, Filipino fans traveled in droves and turned the stands into a largely Filipino-heavy crowd during her match against American Alycia Parks. The crowd’s energy was unmistakable — and at times overwhelming — drawing repeated reminders from the umpire, a moment Santamaria pointed to as evidence of the growing passion surrounding the sport.

With that enthusiasm also comes responsibility, and Santamaria reminded supporters that cheering for Eala on a global stage also means representing the country’s image in a sport where the Philippines is still building its reputation.

“We are not known in the sport of tennis. So when you watch Alex live, you are also representing the Philippines,” he concluded.

As the Philippine Women’s Open draws closer, the spotlight will not only be on the players competing for ranking points and prize money, but also on the Filipino crowd that will help define the tournament’s identity. With Manila finally hosting a WTA event, the Philippines has a rare chance to showcase its passion, hospitality, and readiness for world-class tennis — and if fans embrace the moment with the same energy and respect Santamaria emphasizes, the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open could be the start of a new era for the sport in the country.

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