By: Waylon Galvez
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio on Tuesday assured the country’s readiness to host the first-ever WTA 125 Manila, set from January 26 to 31 at the historic Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Also known as the Philippine Women’s Open, this will mark the first time a prestigious event under the Women’s Tennis Association will be held on Philippine soil — a historic milestone for a sport that has captured the hearts of many Filipinos, especially with the rise of tennis phenom Alex Eala.
“We are glad with the partnership of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennis Association. The PSC is the enabler of events,” Gregorio said during a press conference at Lanson Place in Pasay City. “You go there (at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) and see hundreds of workers working into the wee hours of the morning. We have not only mobilized the PSC group but also the City of Manila and the DPWH.
“It’s a beautiful transformation. So we have no second thoughts in giving financial support for this project and to NSAs that realize and understand the vision of the PSC.”
PHILTA secretary general John Rey Tiangco also expressed confidence in the preparations being made by the government sports agency and the federation.
“The fact that we are already using the courts for a qualifying tournament among our top local players for the Philippine Women’s Open means that it (Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) is almost ready,” said Tiangco, who is also the mayor of Navotas City and a former national and age-group level tennis player.
“We are confident that with the PSC beside us, we will be able to finish on time.”
Tiangco emphasized that holding the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open is crucial to the development of tennis in the country.
“Malaking bagay po ito,” he said.
“This is not just a one-time event, an investment for Philippine tennis. We’re building a whole new ecosystem that’ll allow our local players to compete against world-class opponents.”
The local federation, PHILTA, has secured a three-year agreement with the Women’s Tennis Association to stage the WTA 125 event. According to Tiangco, they hope to bring in other tournaments, including the WTA 250.
Meanwhile, tickets for the competition are now available, PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza said. General admission is priced at P200, while seating for the qualifying round matches on Jan. 24 and 25 will be free.
For the main draw, from the round of 32 to the quarterfinals (Jan. 26 to 29), tickets will be P1,000, with free seating, Mendoza said.
Tickets for the singles semifinals and doubles finals on Jan. 30 will cost P1,500 for the standard pass and P2,000 for the premium pass. These prices will also apply to the championship match on the final day, Jan. 31, she added.
