MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Pato Gregorio is confident that the country’s relationship with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is just beginning to flourish, predicting that the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open will pave the way for much larger international tournaments in the near future.
During a tour of the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Thursday, Gregorio shared his ambitious vision for the sport’s trajectory in the country.
Scaling Up the Competition The upcoming tournament, scheduled from January 26 to 31, is classified as a WTA 125 event—a level typically reserved for rising stars and up-and-coming talent. However, Gregorio believes this is only the first step.
- The Goal: “Next year, it could be 250. By 2028, it might be 500 or 1,000,” he told journalists, referencing the point-based tier system of the WTA.
- The “Alex Eala” Effect: The tournament aims to capitalize on the massive popularity of Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala. Tickets for the event have been sold out since Eala confirmed her participation.
Modernizing Facilities To ensure the tournament meets rigorous international standards, the PSC has spearheaded significant upgrades to the Rizal Memorial tennis courts. Key improvements include:
- Expanded Seating: An additional 2,000 seats were added to the venue to accommodate the expected influx of fans.
- Global Visibility: Gregorio emphasized the importance of hosting world-class Filipino athletes on home soil. “If we have Filipino athletes succeeding on the world stage, it is a must that we organize something to host them in the Philippines,” he stated.
A Broad Vision for Sports The PSC chairman linked the Women’s Open to a broader strategy of increasing the visibility of the nation’s top athletes, drawing parallels to previous efforts for sports icons like Manny Pacquiao and national teams Gilas Pilipinas and Alas Pilipinas.
As Manila prepares to host the WTA’s first major foray into the country, the success of the Philippine Women’s Open is seen as a litmus test for the nation’s capacity to become a regular fixture on the global professional tennis circuit.