PHILTA eyes tennis growth in the Philippines as Manila is set to host first-ever WTA 125 event

Manila is set to serve up a historic moment for Philippine tennis, as the city prepares to host its first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament. The Philippine Women’s Open has officially been added to the 2026 WTA calendar, elevating Manila onto the global tennis stage with a WTA 125 event.

Scheduled from January 26 to 31, 2026, the tournament will be contested on hard courts, featuring a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles bracket, with a total prize commitment of $115,000. Beyond the competition itself, the event signals a new chapter for Philippine tennis, giving local fans the rare opportunity to witness world-class players in action on home soil.

The Philippine Women’s Open press conference took place on Tuesday, January 13, at Lanson Palace in Pasay City. Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) executive director Tonnette Mendoza highlighted that one of the primary reasons for hosting the event in Manila is to foster the growth of tennis in the Philippines, a country where basketball still dominates the sporting landscape.

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“You know, just being near all these big, really good players, they are top 100 in the world, still at a different level, it’s really going to encourage them to be better at tennis. And then, of course, we really want the kids to come and watch. It’s hard to watch really world-class tennis, you have to go to another country. So it’s good that they are here,” Mendoza said.

The stage is set for the Philippine Women’s Open, a WTA 125 tournament scheduled for Jan. 24-31 at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. pic.twitter.com/xVCqJykFI6

— The Game Magazine (@thegamemagph) January 13, 2026

PHILTA also announced ticket prices for the milestone event, which were met with positive feedback for their affordability. Tickets range from P200 for the qualifying matches to P2,000 for the main draw, giving ordinary fans access to high-level competition.

“Well, we really, of course we want to recover some of our expenses, but because the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is really helping us, we are able to keep our prices low. You know, at that level, and we are not thinking of making lots and lots of money. What we really want is for the people to come over,” Mendoza added, emphasizing the organization’s focus on accessibility and community engagement.

Rising Filipino tennis stars Alex Eala and Tenny Madis will represent the country after securing wildcard entries as the top-ranked local players. For both athletes, competing at home offers not just a chance to gain invaluable experience against top international opponents, but also an opportunity to inspire a new generation of Filipino tennis players.

The Philippine Women’s Open will be held at the historic Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila, promising thrilling tennis action while solidifying the Philippines’ presence on the global tennis stage. Beyond the matches, the event represents a major step forward for the sport in the country, giving fans and young athletes alike a chance to witness world-class competition without leaving home.

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