Colombian Star Camila Osorio Makes History as First Philippine Women's Open Champion
In a spectacular display of resilience and skill, Colombian tennis sensation Camila Osorio etched her name into Philippine sports history by capturing the inaugural Philippine Women's Open championship. The fifth-seeded South American battled fiercely against Croatian opponent Donna Vekic, ultimately prevailing with a dramatic 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the iconic Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
A Marathon Match of Emotional Highs and Lows
The championship match unfolded as a true test of mental fortitude and physical endurance, lasting an intense two hours and thirty-one minutes. Osorio, currently ranked 84th in the world, demonstrated remarkable composure after suffering a decisive first-set defeat. The Colombian athlete methodically regrouped, solving Vekic's challenging serves and mounting a courageous comeback that would ultimately secure her place in tournament history.
The decisive third set provided particularly thrilling moments, with both competitors pushing each other to their absolute limits. When the score reached a tense 4-4 deadlock, Vekic's typically calm demeanor briefly fractured as she dropped her serve in the ninth game, resulting in a visible display of frustration that included throwing her racket to the court surface.
Clutch Performance Seals Historic Victory
Despite facing elimination while trailing 4-5, the fourth-seeded Croatian managed to regain her focus and broke back to level the match at 5-5. However, Osorio refused to relinquish her momentum, immediately countering with another crucial service break before serving out the championship match. The Colombian fittingly closed the contest with a powerful ace at 40-30 in the twelfth game, cementing her status as the tournament's first-ever singles champion.
"I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now," an emotional Osorio shared during post-match celebrations. "I am super, super happy to be the first Philippine Women's Open champion." This remarkable victory represents her third professional title since turning pro in 2020, marking another significant milestone in her promising career.
Tournament Significance and Recognition
The historic event, organized by the Philippine Tennis Association with support from the Philippine Sports Commission, served as the inaugural project for 2026 by the National Sports Tourism-Interagency Committee chaired by Patrick Gregorio. The championship match attracted a packed audience to Center Court, creating an electric atmosphere that both competitors acknowledged during the awards ceremony.
Vekic, ranked 72nd globally and a Paris Olympic Games silver medalist, graciously congratulated her opponent while expressing appreciation for the Filipino spectators. "This is the very first WTA 125 tournament in the Philippines, and I see that you enjoyed it," the Croatian athlete remarked. "I hope that there will be many more. I hope to come back because I really enjoyed it. Maraming Salamat!"
Rewards and Recognition
Osorio's championship performance earned her substantial rewards, including:
- 125 valuable WTA ranking points
- A champion's purse of $15,500 (approximately ₱913,182)
- The historic Philippine Women's Open trophy
Vekic received recognition as tournament runner-up, collecting 81 WTA ranking points and $8,500 (approximately ₱500,777) for her impressive performance throughout the competition.
The awards presentation featured distinguished guests including Philippine Tennis Association president and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Philta secretary general and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, and Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio. Following the ceremony, the new champion took time to pose with enthusiastic fans, celebrating her hard-fought victory and the successful launch of this significant tournament in Philippine tennis history.
