Tennielle “Tenny” Madis, the Philippines’ second-ranked female tennis player, is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming Philippine Women’s Open, set to take place from January 26 to 31. While often overshadowed by the rising star Alex Eala, Madis has proven her mettle in the sport and is now stepping into the spotlight with a wild card entry into this prestigious WTA 125 event.
The 18-year-old from M’lang, Cotabato, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing that this wild card is not just a chance to compete but also a way to gain valuable experience against higher-ranked players. “This is a chance to be better and be at my best,” Madis shared, reflecting on the significance of participating in such a high-level tournament.
Madis is set to face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who boasts a career-high ranking of No. 100 in the world, in her opening match. Sawangkaew has shown strong performance in past competitions, including reaching the finals of the WTA 125 in Mumbai last year, signaling a tough challenge ahead for Madis.
Having recently secured two bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand, Madis is riding high on her recent successes, including victories at the Gentry Open and the Philippine Columbian Association championship. As a high school student continuing her education through homeschooling, she remains focused on her tennis career while planning to take her talents to collegiate tennis at the University of Hawaii.
Madis trains under the guidance of coach Bobie Angelo at the Philippine Tennis Academy, and this tournament marks her inaugural participation in a WTA event. “My goal is to compete, have fun, and do my best because I know my opponents are stronger than me,” Madis noted, acknowledging the depth of competition she will face.
She is optimistic about the support from Filipino fans, which she believes will provide a significant morale boost as she looks to advance beyond the first round. “Seeing the Filipinos watching will be special,” she added, reflecting on the importance of national pride in her journey.
As Madis prepares to take on the challenges ahead, she embodies the hope and determination of a new generation of Filipino tennis players ready to compete on the world stage.