SEN. Bong Go has expressed support for the staging of the country’s first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament, citing its potential to strengthen sports tourism, expand opportunities for Filipino athletes, and reinforce ongoing efforts to modernize Philippine sports infrastructure.
The WTA 125 tournament, officially titled the Philippine Women’s Open, is scheduled from Jan. 26 to 31, with qualifying rounds set for Jan. 24 and 25, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila. It will mark the first time a WTA-sanctioned professional women’s tennis event is held in the Philippines, placing the country on the global WTA calendar.
Go said hosting the tournament reflects steady progress in diversifying the country’s sports ecosystem beyond traditional disciplines, while opening new competitive platforms for Filipino athletes.
“Tournaments like this are important because they open the Philippines to the international sports scene while also inspiring our athletes, especially the youth, to work harder in their chosen fields,” Go said in Filipino.
Classified as a WTA 125 event, the Philippine Women’s Open sits just below the main WTA Tour and serves as a recognized professional circuit where internationally ranked players compete for valuable ranking points and six-figure prize money. The tournament is expected to feature a 32-player singles draw and 16 doubles teams, with matches played on hard courts at one of the country’s most historic sports venues.
The Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, which has undergone upgrades in recent years as part of broader government efforts to revive the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, has previously hosted major regional and national competitions. Officials said the tournament is also expected to draw foreign athletes, coaches, and support teams, generating spillover benefits for hotels, transport services, and local businesses.
Go also said that the significance of the event goes beyond its “first-of-its-kind” status.
“This is also about exposure,” he said, noting that local players, coaches, and sports officials would gain firsthand experience by observing world-class competition standards, tournament operations, and athlete preparation.
Sports stakeholders have likewise pointed out that hosting a WTA event could help raise the profile of Philippine tennis, encourage greater youth participation, and provide local players with rare opportunities to earn international ranking points on home soil.
The Philippine Women’s Open is expected to serve as a benchmark for future international tennis events in the country, as organizers and government agencies look to position the Philippines as a viable host for more global sporting competitions.