“She can be a good player in the future”: Mananchaya Sawangkaew praises Filipino teenager Tennielle Madis

The inaugural Philippine Women’s Open is currently underway in Manila, marking a historic milestone for tennis in the country as it makes its debut on the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) calendar. The tournament represents a major step forward for Philippine tennis, placing the nation’s capital firmly on the international stage by hosting a WTA 125-level event for the first time.

Running until January 31, 2026, the Philippine Women’s Open is being contested on hard courts and features a competitive 32-player singles draw alongside a 16-team doubles bracket. With a total prize purse of $115,000, the tournament provides participants a valuable opportunity to earn ranking points and gain essential match experience early in the season. The event has attracted a mix of seasoned tour veterans and emerging talents, all looking to test themselves in an internationally competitive environment while building momentum for the rest of the WTA season.

For rising Filipino star Tennielle Madis, the tournament proved a challenging introduction to the WTA 125 level. In her first-round match at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Monday, January 26, Madis fell to Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-4, 6-0. This marked the second meeting between the two players, following their encounter at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games last December.

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Despite the loss, Sawangkaew praised Madis for her improvement and resilience on the court.

“I played against her in the SEA Games last time, so this time, she played much better. She improved a lot in her game, and then I can feel that she can be a good player in the future,” Sawangkaew said during a media interaction.

PROUD ATE ALEX

WATCH: Filipino tennis star Alex Eala shares how proud she is of the performance of wildcards Elizabeth Abarquez and Tenny Madis despite their early exit in #WTA125Manila.

“They showed out, they gave their best. It’s really hard the first time competing at this… pic.twitter.com/n2odDJwmpp

— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) January 27, 2026

The Thai player also highlighted the enthusiastic support from Filipino fans and lauded the organizers for staging a professional tournament in Manila.

“It’s a beautiful crowd here and the people come to support Southeast Asia a lot and then also for everyone in this tournament, so it’s good to see everyone to come to support here,” she added.

For Madis, the experience was an invaluable opportunity to gain exposure on the international stage and to measure herself against a higher-ranked, more experienced opponent.

“First of all, it’s an honor to play against Sawangkaew. She is a good and experienced player. All I can say is that it’s a great learning and opportunity for me to play with her,” Madis said.

Though the scoreline did not go in her favor, the match provided Madis with critical insights into the level of play required on the WTA circuit. Analysts noted her aggressive baseline strokes and improving court awareness, but also emphasized the importance of consistency and stamina against seasoned opponents.

The Philippine Women’s Open, with its full stands and lively atmosphere, continues to draw attention from fans and players alike, signaling a promising future for tennis in the country. With the tournament running until the end of the month, it remains an important platform for emerging Southeast Asian talent, offering invaluable match experience and a chance to shine on a stage previously unseen in the Philippines.

For Madis, this is only the beginning of what promises to be a meaningful journey in professional tennis—a chance to learn, grow, and one day compete consistently on the global WTA circuit.

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