Rising Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is set to open her first home Women’s Tennis Association campaign on Monday as the Philippine Women’s Open gets underway at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
Eala described the tournament as a long-held dream finally realized, giving her the rare chance to compete on home soil in front of Filipino fans.
She expressed appreciation to organizers, partners, and stakeholders for bringing a WTA-level event to the Philippines, saying the tournament represents an important milestone in her professional career. Eala noted that competing at home once felt like a distant goal earlier in her journey on the international circuit.
The 18-year-old said she plans to embrace the atmosphere at Rizal Memorial and draw motivation from the local crowd, while remaining focused on her performance throughout the week. She added that balancing competitive intensity with gratitude remains a priority during the event.
Eala also highlighted the strong support she continues to receive from Filipino fans, saying their presence adds confidence and energy during matches. She pointed to recent local sports initiatives, including a Philippine sports mural featuring her image, as sources of added pride ahead of the tournament.
Tournament officials scheduled the Philippine Women’s Open to begin Monday, with Eala entered in the main draw alongside other Filipino players. Organizers described the event as a major step for local tennis, bringing elite international competition to Manila and creating opportunities for homegrown athletes to shine.
Eala said she hopes the tournament inspires young athletes and leads to more professional women’s tennis events in the Philippines in the years ahead.
