Filipina tennis player Tenny Madis during her Philippine Women's Open match against Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew, January 26, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. PHILTA/Philippine Women's Open
MANILA – In sports and in nearly every aspect of life, experience is the best teacher.
That's exactly what the young Filipina tennis players gained after competing in the main draw of the Philippine Women's Open.
More than just focusing on the results, Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala said the young players were able to experience a rare opportunity of being in a WTA 125 tournament.
"I’m super proud. The fact that we’re in the draw, they showed up, they gave their best. It’s really hard the first time competing at this level. But just the experience you gain from being in these tournaments and playing these people is something that money can’t buy. I’m very happy for them, I’m very proud of our Pinay tennis players," she said.
READ: Alex Eala cherishes 'special' win at PH Women's Open
Rising star Tenny Madis put up a good fight against Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in her WTA debut on Monday, before bowing out of the tournament, 4-6, 0-6.
Despite the loss, Madis relished the opportunity to play on center court, in front of a packed crowd with mostly Filipinos rallying behind her.
"It really gives me goosebumps 'cause ganun pala yung feeling na you play sa center court. I really appreciate it po," Madis told the media in the post-match press conference.
"It's been an amazing journey. For this tournament, I've been practicing with the top players, [like] ate Alex Eala and Mia Horvit. It's really fun and exciting and I'm super, super happy," she said.
The M'lang, Cotabato native said competing in the main draw of the WTA 125 tournament will be a huge boost in her tennis career.
"It's a lot of learnings and I needed to improve pa a lot. And I will train hard pa in my next tournament. As an athlete, you're gonna lose, you're gonna win. It's part of it," Madis said.
"Before this competition, madami akong struggles, challenges before this happened for me. So it's been an opportunity and privilege to play here in this prestigious level," she added.
EXPERIENCE FOR UAAP STARS
The Philippines' Elizabeth Abarquez faces Japan’s Mai Hontama as Day One of the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open gets underway at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on January 26, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Her compatriot Elizabeth Abarquez also suffered an early exit in the tournament, losing to Japan's Mai Hontama, 0-6, 0-6.
While it still has not sunk in that she competed in the main draw of a WTA 125 tournament, the UAAP Champion said she has a lot to improve on moving forward.
"More practice pa po. Kasi medyo mabagal po ako sa court. So okay naman po yung palo, pero yung movement ko po sa court medyo mabagal po... Medyo nagulat po ako kasi yung bola nila mabibigat tapos ang bibilis nila tumakbo," she said.
"Malaking tulong po siya [yung Philippine Women's Open] kasi first-ever WTA 125 tournament sa Philippines. Mga top yung mga kalaban," Abarquez added.
The 24-year-old will return to play her final year for National University in the UAAP.
Former UAAP MVP Kaye Ann Emana also exited the Philippine Women's Open on Tuesday, after falling to Russia's Tatiana Prozorova, 1-6, 0-6 on Tuesday.
Despite the loss, Emana remains grateful for the chance to compete in a WTA tournament.
Kaye Ann Emana of the Philippines competes in the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila on January 26, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
"Masaya po ako nakasali ako sa ganitong event. Ginawa ko lang pong mindset is ilaro ko lang po yung laro ko since manalo matalo, may matututunan po ako," she said.
"Mag-tetrain hard po ako. Hindi lang po dahil darating season namin. Baka po magkaroon ulit ng WTA dito sa Manila. Gusto ko po mas umangat laro ko kung sakali magkaroon ng next WTA dito," Emana added.
READ: UAAP MVP Kaye Emana asks for more support for locally-based tennis players
The 22-year-old, who is in her third playing year for the UST Lady Tennisters, remains eager to bring what she learned in the Philippine Women's Open in the upcoming UAAP Season.
As she looks to elevate her tennis skills, Emana hopes to get more opportunities to learn from high-level tennis players in the future.
"Sana laging magka-trainings, seminars, kasi po mahirap po talaga. Lalo na pag walang money, walang budget, tapos pag kayo kayo lang po, mahihirapan talagang magimprove," she said.
With the exit of Emana, Eala is the last Filipina standing in the Philippine Women's Open.
She will face the winner of the match between Nao Hibino and Himeno Sakatsume of Japan.