Tennis thrills: What to expect in the Philippines’ first WTA 125 hosting

MANILA, Philippines – Tennis finally takes center stage as Manila hosts the Philippine Women’s Open, the country’s first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event, from January 24 to 31 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The tournament will bring in some of the world’s top women’s tennis players, including a possible homecoming appearance of Alex Eala. The 20-year-old Filipino star’s stint, however, will depend on how far she’ll go in the Australian Open.

Eala will debut in the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the year on Monday, January 19, in Melbourne. 

Ticket prices

Tickets for the Philippine Women’s Open cost P200 during the qualifying rounds from January 24 to 26, providing fans with an affordable entry point to the action.

Prices rise to P1,000 for general admission free seating during the main draw from January 26 to 29. 

In the semifinals and final rounds, fans can purchase a standard pass for P1,500 or a premium pass for the first 10 rows of the bleachers for P2,000. 

Passes are sold via SM Tickets. 

According to the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA), the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will have approximately 2,000 seats after a month-long upgrade to prepare for the international tournament. 

This doubled the WTA’s standard of about 700 seats for a 125-level tournament. 

For fans unable to scoop tickets, large LED screens will also be installed near the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. 

Players lineup

The field will feature world-ranked players including Eala, who just climbed to a career-high world No. 49 ranking. 

Eala received wildcards in both singles and doubles, but her Manila appearance hinges on an early Australian Open exit before Friday, January 23.

She’s one of 24 Australian Open players listed in the Philippine tournament, a field headlined by Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic (world No. 70) of Croatia, Germany’s Tatjana Maria (No. 42), and China’s Wang Xinyu (No. 43), who defeated Eala in the semifinals of the ASB Classic in New Zealand a week ago. 

Other stars are Solana Sierra (No. 64) of Argentina, Moyuka Uchiujima (No. 87) of Japan, Lulu Sun (No. 85) of New Zealand, and Polina Kudermetova (No. 150) of Uzbekistan. 

Home bet Tenny Madis, who is the second-ranked player in the Philippines, will also compete as a wildcard. 

Madis looks to ride on the momentum from her bronze-medal finishes in the women’s and team events of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.

PHILTA set aside four wildcards and four slots for qualifying tournament winners for the main draw while preparing a standby list to replace Australian Open players unable to make the Manila tournament. – Rappler.com