The Philippine tennis scene is set for a historic milestone as top international stars, led by Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic and world No. 45 Tatjana Maria, have confirmed their participation in the inaugural Philippine Women's Open. The country's first-ever WTA 125 tournament will serve off on January 26, 2026, at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
Star-Studded Early Entry List Revealed
According to a provisional player list released by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) over the weekend, the 32-player draw is already taking shape with formidable names. Donna Vekic of Croatia, a 2024 Wimbledon semifinalist and former world No. 17, currently ranked 69th, brings significant star power. She is joined by Germany's Tatjana Maria, the world No. 45 who made history last year by winning the Queen's Club title at 38, becoming the oldest Tour singles champion since Serena Williams.
The field's depth is further highlighted by the inclusion of China's Xinyu Wang (World No. 57), a 2023 French Open women's doubles champion. The tournament, sanctioned by the WTA and organized by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) with support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), promises a high level of competition from its very first edition.
Venue Readiness and Local Wild Cards
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio emphasized the commitment to delivering a world-class venue, confirming that work on the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center continued uninterrupted through the holiday season. "No Christmas break, no New Year break. No holiday break. Everybody's here," Gregorio stated, underscoring the collaborative effort between Philta and the PSC to transform the center into a showcase for this landmark event.
Adding to the local excitement, hometown favorite Alexandra Eala (World No. 53), a SEA Games gold medalist, has been awarded a wild card entry by Philta, contingent on her schedule following the Australian Open. She is joined by Indonesia's Janice Tjen (World No. 56), who also received a wild card. Both players are slated to compete in the Australian Open main draw from January 18 to February 1, 2026.
A New Chapter for Philippine Tennis
The hosting of the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open marks a significant leap for the sport in the country, providing a premium platform for local talents like Eala to compete against established international players on home soil. The event is poised to boost the local tennis ecosystem, inspire a new generation of players, and put Manila firmly on the global tennis map. All eyes will be on the capital as it prepares to welcome the world's best for this groundbreaking tournament in early 2026.
