The inaugural Philippine Open is set to kick off on Monday at the outdoor hard courts of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, showcasing an exciting array of talent as local players aim to shine against seasoned international competitors. Among the local stars are 18-year-old Alex Eala, SEA Games women’s doubles bronze medalist Tennielle Madis, along with Kaye Emana of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Elizabeth Abarquez from National University (NU).
This landmark event, a WTA 125 tournament staged in Manila, promises to bring high-level competition despite some notable withdrawals. Leading the foreign players is German top seed Tatjana Maria, currently ranked No. 42 in the world. The experienced 38-year-old has proven her formidable skills, recently making headlines by reaching the finals of the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships and defeating current world No. 4 Amanda Anisimova in a stunning display of her capabilities.
Eala, the second seed, is poised for revenge against Maria, as she has faced defeat in all four of their previous matches. Similarly, Argentina’s Solana Siera, ranked a career-best 63, is expected to make waves after a strong 2025 season that included reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon and securing two WTA 125 titles.
Familiar to Filipino tennis fans, fourth seed Donna Vekic from Croatia brings significant experience, having reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2024 and clinched a silver medal in women’s singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Eala has already triumphed over Vekic earlier this year in both the WTA ASB Classic in New Zealand and the Kooyong Classic in Australia, providing a thrilling backdrop for their potential rematch.
Fifth seed Camille Osorio, a former world No. 1 junior player from Colombia, boasts a career-high ranking of 33. The competition will also feature talents like sixth seed Lulu Sun of New Zealand, who made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2024, and unseeded Polina Kudermetova, who recently made a notable appearance in the second round of the Australian Open, now representing Uzbekistan.
Additionally, Thailand will be well represented with potential contenders such as Mananchaya Sawangkaew, a SEA Games women’s singles silver medalist, facing off against Madis in the opening round, and Lanlana Tararudee, set to compete against seventh seed Simona Waltert from Switzerland.
The diverse field ensures a dynamic competition, providing a platform for both seasoned international players and the emerging talents of Southeast Asia to showcase their skills and contribute to the vibrant tennis scene in the region. The Philippine Open not only highlights the growing prominence of tennis in the Philippines but also promises to inspire a new generation of players eager to leave their mark on the sport.