The Philippines is preparing to make history in tennis as officials push to host its first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament early next year.
The plan was discussed in a recent meeting between Navotas Mayor and Philippine Tennis Association secretary-general John Rey Tiangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio. If approved, the event could be staged from January 26 to February 1, 2026.
“This partnership with the PSC paves the way for a new chapter in Philippine tennis,” Tiangco said. “We are pursuing the hosting of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open and the ITF J30, exploring the opening of Rizal Memorial to the public, and continuing plans for the Philippine Tennis Center in New Clark City.”
Gregorio added that bringing a WTA tournament to Manila would give local players the chance to compete against international talent while inspiring more Filipinos to pick up the sport.
The development comes at a time when Filipino tennis star Alex Eala continues her climb in the global rankings. Organizers hope the event will provide her and other homegrown players with valuable opportunities to compete before a local crowd.
The Philippines is already confirmed to host the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 event from late November to December 7, 2025, featuring young players aged 13 to 18 from across Asia and beyond.
Officials said the WTA 125 tournament would serve as a breakthrough moment for the country, combining grassroots development, international exposure, and sports tourism.
