Tennielle Madis calls for more training camps in Manila to help grow Philippine tennis

The inaugural Philippine Women’s Open recently unfolded in Manila, marking a historic milestone for Philippine tennis as the country officially made its debut on the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) calendar. The tournament signaled a major step forward for the sport locally, placing the nation’s capital on the international map by hosting a WTA 125-level event for the first time.

Held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court, the weeklong competition carried a total prize purse of $115,000 and offered players a valuable opportunity to earn crucial ranking points and gain early-season momentum. The event drew a competitive field that featured a blend of seasoned tour veterans and promising young talents, all eager to test themselves in a high-level international setting.

For rising Filipino standout Tennielle Madis, the Philippine Women’s Open served as a challenging but eye-opening introduction to the WTA 125 stage. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Madis bowed out in the opening round after a 6-4, 6-0 loss to Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Monday, January 26. The match marked the second meeting between the two players, following their previous encounter at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games last December.

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Despite the early exit, the experience proved invaluable for Madis, who relished the opportunity to compete on home soil under the spotlight of an international tournament. Fans packed the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court in droves, creating an electric atmosphere rarely seen at local tennis events and offering a glimpse of what the sport could become with sustained support.

#LOOK: Tennielle Madis gave SEA Games silver medalist Mananchaya Sawangkaew a tough fight in their R32 match in the #PhilippineWomensOpen, but fell short in the end 🎾

📸 Nicole Hernandez/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/XB2Xy43NGU

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 26, 2026

“We really enjoyed it. We learned a lot here in the WTA. We really did our best for the country and for all the Filipinos who came to support us. It had a huge impact on us, the Filipinos. In my match, all the seats were full. Every Filipino was cheering for us,” Madis said during an appearance on Off the Court.

While the Philippine Women’s Open was widely viewed as a success off the court—both in terms of organization and its impact on the country’s standing within the global WTA scene—the results on court highlighted the challenges that still face local players. Of the Filipino contingent, only teenage sensation Alex Eala managed to advance as far as the semifinal stage, while the rest bowed out in the early rounds against more experienced international opposition.

Madis openly acknowledged the existing gap between Filipino players and their counterparts on the global tour, emphasizing the need for more structured and consistent development programs. She urged the Philippine Tennis Federation to explore the possibility of holding regular training camps in Manila to help local talents elevate their game.

“Maybe having training camps every weekend will encourage more athletes and tennis players to take up the sport. At the end of the day, it’s really about training. We are hoping that tennis will continue to boom and that the sport will keep getting the support it needs,” she added.

Although Madis did not make a deep run in the tournament, analysts noted several encouraging signs in her performance. Her aggressive baseline play, willingness to dictate rallies, and improving court awareness drew praise, even as experts highlighted the importance of greater consistency, endurance, and match toughness when facing seasoned WTA-level opponents.

As the curtain closed on the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, the tournament left behind more than just results. It offered a promising glimpse into the future of Philippine tennis—one fueled by growing fan interest, increasing international exposure, and a new generation of players eager to rise to the challenge of the global stage.

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