Camila Osorio gets storybook ending in ‘fairy tale’ PH Women’s Open run

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines holds a special place in Camila Osorio’s heart.

Osorio won her first WTA title outside her native Colombia as she ruled the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open with a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the final at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Saturday, January 31.

The victory proved to be a storybook ending to what Osorio described as a “fairy tale” campaign, as she endeared herself to Filipino fans even after her ouster of home hero Alex Eala in the quarterfinals. 

“I’m super, super happy and honored to be here in the Philippines for the first time and to be in front of all of you guys. It’s been such a pleasure to play here,” Osorio said after the match. 

“It’s been an unreal week for all of us, all the players. How you treated us is unreal. I hope to come back in the future.” 

Ranked 84th in the world, Osorio had won all three of her previous WTA titles at home, winning the Copa Colsanitas — a WTA 250 event — in 2021, 2024, and 2025.

The 24-year-old came close to ruling on foreign soil in the 2021 Tenerife Ladies Open in Spain and the 2022 Monterrey Open in Mexico, which are also WTA 250 tournaments, but lost in the finals on both occasions.

Osorio, though, finally overcame that overseas hurdle as she felt at home in the Philippines. 

Throughout the week, Osorio had nothing but good things to say about the country’s first-ever hosting of a WTA 125 event, praising Filipinos’ hospitality, warmth, and zeal for tennis. 

“I think besides Colombia, this is my top one,” Osorio said when asked where she would rank the Philippines among the countries she has competed in. 

“[Filipinos are] very, very kind, very loving, and you can feel the passion. It’s very nice to see their energy. I think it’s in the top three for sure, like I really enjoyed the environment.” 

Having started 2026 with three straight losses as she exited in the first rounds of the ASB Classic in New Zealand, the Hobart International in Australia, and the Australian Open, Osorio said she is glad to have turned her fortunes around in the Philippine Women’s Open.

Three of Osorio’s five victories in the tournament were against players ranked higher than her: No. 49 Eala, No. 63 Solana Sierra of Argentina, and No. 72 Vekic. 

“I had a tough start of the year. So winning these matches means a lot to me. And obviously, also being first time here, it’s like, it’s unreal, and basically a fairy tale for me,” said Osorio. – Rappler.com