Tennis captured the heart of Filipinos in the first Philippine Women Open 125 held last week at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), Malate, Manila.
In turn, Filipinos charmed players and foreign guests with their enthusiasm and hospitality.
It was a lovefest.
The Philippines’ own Alex Eala did not make it to the finals but her participation up to quarterfinals was inspiring enough for those who braved the heat and even the rains to watch great tennis.
Eala said the turnout of the people was heartening: “Seeing how much they’ve enjoyed, hearing the feedback from other players and from people in the WTA, I think it couldn’t have turned out better for a first edition,” she said before taking off for Abu Dhabi, her next tournament.
The champion was Colombian Camila Osorio who beat Donna Vekic of Croatia in a thrilling three-set game Jan. 31.
The 24-year old Osorio, who beat Eala in the quarterfinals was all praises for the Filipino spectators: “I’ve never seen this much people in a match for me. It’s been great, the support the whole week has been amazing. I just hope you can keep coming, keep enjoying the sport and women’s tennis.”
Vekic also thanked the Filipino tennis fans: “Thank you so much for your support throughout the whole week and tonight. It was really a pleasure playing in front of you for the whole week.
“It’s the first WTA in the Philippines but I think you guys see how much everyone enjoys it. So, I hope that there will be many more even a bigger tournament because I think this city, these people deserve it. And I hope to come back,” she added.
Women’s Tennis Association Supervisor Cristina Romero, a Mexican, cited Filipino hospitality. “I think the most important part is that we all felt very welcome here in the Philippines. We saw the crowd—they were super interested in the tournament since day one, since the qualifying. We had a huge amount of people coming every day.”
Those praises were music to the ears of Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who turned to the crowd and asked. “You want another WTA tournament in 2027?”
The answer: A resounding “Yes!”
Photos and video of the finals by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.