PSC chairman Pato Gregorio assured that Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will participate in the first-ever Philippine Women’s Open next year, which overlaps with the 2026 Australian Open.
The stage is almost set for Filipina tennis star Alex Eala to shine on home soil in January 2026, with PSC chairman Pato Gregorio confirming she will take part in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, which will be a WTA 125 event.
[ALSO READ: Philippines in talks to host first-ever WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open]
“She will join,” Gregorio said during a press briefing for the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Junior Championships 2025 in Pasay, addressing concerns about the 20-year-old star’s packed schedule.
Gregorio assured that Eala’s availability will not be an issue, even if the event overlaps with the Australian Open — the only Grand Slam where she has yet to make the main draw.
This year, Eala finally played at the main draws of Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, even winning her first match in New York.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala’s 2025: A year of breakthroughs and history-making moments]
The Philippine Women's Open is scheduled from January 26 to February 1, 2026, while next year's edition of the Australian Open qualifying rounds run from January 13-16, with a one-day break before the main draw play begins January 18.
If Eala plays in the main draw, her participation in the Philippine Open will depend on how far she progresses in Melbourne.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala vows to bounce back after early exit from Australian Open qualifiers]
But Gregorio quickly put any doubts to rest:
“The only chance na hindi makakalaro si Alex is kapag nagka-conflict with the Australian Open in terms of the elimination, semis, and Finals but that is not a problem. But if Alex succeeds in the Australian Open, we will be very happy,” he clarified.
“But if after the second or third round she’s available already, then she’s here," Gregorio assured.
The PSC chariman also provided updates on preparations for the landmark event, emphasizing that it is just the first step toward hosting more WTA tournaments in the country in the coming years.
“In the next few days, we’re going to renovate the tennis courts in Rizal [Memorial Sports Complex] and we’re just making sure to add more bleacher sets. We hope to accommodate more than 2,000 people in January and moving forward, if we want to bid for bigger WTA events, maybe we can go to bigger stadiums just like in Clark,” he shared.
”Every year, hopefully in the next three years, we would have WTA [events] here in the Philippines,” Gregorio ended.
Before the year ends, Eala is expected to represent the Philippines at the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand.
She is also expected to play at the MGM Macau Tennis Masters in late December.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala plans to suit up for Philippine team in 2025 SEA Games]
(With reports from Vlon Bandivas)
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.