The Philippines is set to host a landmark event in women's professional tennis, as the inaugural Philippine Women's Open kicks off on January 26, 2026. The historic tournament will unfold at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila, marking the country's first-ever WTA 125 competition.
Star-Studded Early Entries Headline Historic Draw
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) released a provisional players list over the weekend, revealing an impressive early field for the 32-player draw. Topping the entries are two globally recognized names: Donna Krevic of Croatia, a former world No. 2 and Paris Olympic silver medalist, and Germany's resurgent veteran, Tatjana Maria, currently ranked world No. 45.
Krevic, 29, reached the pinnacle of the sport when she was ranked second in the world at the start of 2024 and was a semifinalist at the French Open that same year. Although her ranking has adjusted to No. 69, she remains a formidable contender. A product of the legendary IMG Academy founded by Nick Bolletieri, Krevic has earned over $10.2 million (approximately ₱601 million) in career prize money, won four titles, and is known for her charity work in her hometown of Osijek, where she has opened three public courts modeled after Grand Slam venues.
Veteran Excellence and Venue Readiness
On the other side of the net, Tatjana Maria, 38, proves that age is just a number. The German, who has reached a career-high ranking of No. 36, captured her fourth WTA title in a stirring victory at the Queen's Club Championships in June last year. In that final, she defeated 23-year-old American Amanda Asiminova 6-3, 6-4, becoming the oldest woman at 37 to win a WTA 500 singles title. A 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist and a mother of two coached by her husband Charles, Maria is among ten players from the WTA top 100 confirmed for the Manila event.
The tournament is organized by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) with support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio emphasized the all-hands-on-deck approach to preparing the venue, stating that work continued through the holiday season. "22 days to go before WTA 125. So no Christmas break, no New Year break. No holiday break," Gregorio said after inspecting the facility's progress on January 2. "We're all here just to make sure we transform Rizal Tennis [Center] as a showcase for the first-ever hosting of the WTA 125 in Manila."
A New Chapter for Philippine Tennis
The arrival of the Philippine Women's Open represents a significant milestone for the sport in the country. By attracting players of the caliber of Krevic and Maria, the tournament immediately establishes itself as a blue-ribbon competition on the regional tennis calendar. The successful refurbishment of the historic Rizal Memorial Tennis Center is central to this endeavor, providing a world-class stage for what promises to be a thrilling week of tennis.
This event not only offers local fans a rare chance to see international stars compete on home soil but also signals the Philippines' growing capacity and ambition to host major sporting events. The collaboration between Philta and the PSC underscores a committed push to elevate the profile of tennis nationwide.
