The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) made sure to keep prices low for the historic Philippine Women’s Open slated later this month in Manila.
Ticket prices for the first-ever Philippine Women’s Open were released by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) on Tuesday after clamor from the tennis community, with prices ranging from Php 200 to Php 2,000 from the qualifiers to the main draw.
General feedback from the public was positive, deeming prices “affordable” for the impassioned sports community raring to see top-level tennis at the newly refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila.
PHILTA Executive Director Tonnette Mendoza said that they were intentional in keeping prices affordable for the every day Filipino. Qualifying matches are priced per day, with fans able to watch all games in a day for just Php 200.
“Well, we really, of course we want to recover some of our expenses, [but] because the PSC is really helping us. So we're able to keep our prices [low],” Mendoza said during Philippine Women’s Open Press Conference at Lanson Palace in Pasay City.
“You know, at that level, and we're not thinking of making lots and lots of money. What we really want is for the people to come over,” she added.
Weeks before the competition, PHILTA announced that tickets will be made available through SM Tickets with the qualifying and main draw tickets to be made available at midnight on Wednesday, January 14.
[RELATED: How to buy tickets for first-ever Philippine Women’s Open]
Ticket prices for the semis and finals will be for sale at later dates, with prices ranging from Php 1,500 to Php 2,000 depending on the tier.
Grassroots, fans at the center
As for fan experience, a dedicated fan zone will also be made available at the venue to cater to audiences, where they can also be able to rub shoulders with the players.
Meanwhile, local junior players will be able to catch the action for free — with most of them also serving as ball kids in the competition.
For Mendoza, this is an avenue to further grow the sport in the country.
“You know, just being near all these big, really good players, [they’re] top 100 [in the world], still [at a] different level, it's really going to encourage them to be better at tennis,” she said.
“And then, of course, we really want the kids to come and watch. It's hard to watch really world-class tennis, you have to go to another country. So it's good that they're here,” she added.
The first-ever Philippine Women’s Tennis will feature a draw of 32 players in the singles main draw — including 12 who are also in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Because of scheduling conflicts, players, including the Philippines’ own Alex Eala, remain up in the air.
Nevertheless, the WTA does have an alternate list ready in case of any pullouts from the player list owing to developments in the Australian Open.
—
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.