THE Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) has undergone a major overhaul and is ready to host the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open, the first ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 event to be held in the Philippines, from Jan. 26 to 31.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio unveiled the fully revamped Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and its new media room on Thursday afternoon, personally leading the press on a tour of the modernized complex.
“Everything we’re doing here simply excites people. Using sports and tourism... It excites people, it excites all of us. We should wait for the transformation of the fan zone,” said Gregorio.
Gregorio hopes that visitors to the age-old sports complex will learn the history and story of Philippine sports.
Before heading to the tennis court, spectators will pass through the renovated "Fan Zone" in the adjacent baseball field.
“When you enter the gate, it’s the fan zone already. It is a complete story for the tennis fan or a tourist on what the Rizal Memorial is all about,” he added.
“In the next three days, you won’t recognize this place.”
Gregorio is in talks with Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) secretary general John Rey Tiangco for the transformation of RMSC into a premier tennis facility.
“It’s here. It’s a craze, Alex [Eala] is a craze all over the world. Everyone is a fan of Alex, we should continue making her a positive image of our country, and she truly deserves that,” the chairman said.
After the tour, Gregorio and Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) president Francis Ochoa led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the refurbished media center at the RSMC.
Gregorio and Ochoa proudly revealed the embossed logo of the RMSC (that resembles the Malacañang logo), which will be used as the backdrop during press conferences.
“A lot of sportswriters grew old in this industry. This brand new press center is a gift for all the media, because most of the media are also about to retire and we still haven’t improved [the press center],” Gregorio said.
“We improved this so that it will be more convenient to all of us,” he added.
