Despite the tight overlap in her competitive schedule for early 2026, Filipina tennis standout Alexandra “Alex” Eala expressed her excitement over the progress of tennis in the Philippines as the country prepares to welcome its first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event. The tournament, officially called the Philippine Women’s Open, is scheduled from January 26 to 31, 2026, and will take place at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. For many in the local tennis community, this development marks a long-awaited milestone, and Eala shares that sense of pride and optimism.
In a video message played during the tournament’s press launch, the 20-year-old star spoke emotionally about how far Philippine tennis has come. According to her, staging a WTA event on home soil was once a distant aspiration, something young athletes like her only hoped would happen someday. Now that it is officially a reality, she said she feels grateful to the leaders and stakeholders who worked to make the event possible. Eala emphasized that, as a player who has competed in events around the world, it means a lot to finally see the Philippines listed among the host nations for a WTA tournament. She added that being able to say the country has a full-fledged international women’s competition is a point of pride not just for her but for many Filipino tennis players.
However, while the tournament presents a promising moment for Philippine sports, Eala’s participation in the inaugural staging remains uncertain. The former junior Grand Slam champion is set to compete in the 2026 Australian Open, where she has already secured direct entry into the main draw—meaning she will not need to go through the qualifying rounds. The Australian Open is scheduled from January 12 to February 1, and Eala’s performance in the Grand Slam may directly affect her availability for the Manila event. Should she advance deep into the tournament—as she hopes to do—her run in Melbourne would likely overlap with the Philippine Women’s Open, making it difficult for her to return home before the WTA 125 competition concludes.
Tournament organizers acknowledged this scheduling complication but emphasized that Eala’s success on the global stage is something the country should celebrate, regardless of whether she can compete in Manila. For her part, Eala shared that she would love to play in front of a home crowd, especially in what could be her first professional match in the Philippines. Still, she noted that her priority remains performing well in the Grand Slam season and continuing to raise the country’s flag internationally.
Even with the uncertainty surrounding her participation, Eala reiterated her gratitude for the arrival of such a prestigious event in the Philippines. She said the tournament’s presence alone would inspire younger players, provide opportunities for local athletes to experience high-level competition, and help boost the sport’s growth nationwide. For her, the WTA 125 Manila meet symbolizes not only progress but a new chapter for Philippine tennis—one that she hopes will lead to even more global involvement and recognition in the years to come.
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