‘Huge step for Philippine tennis’: Eala ecstatic over staging of PH Women’s Open

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala voiced excitement with the upcoming Philippine Women’s Open tournament, which will kick off later this month.

The tourney will be the Philippines’ first-ever Women’s Tennis Association 125 event.

At a press conference ahead of the Australian Open, Eala said that she is “so, so happy” that the tournament is “finally coming together.”

“It's really happening. It's been a dream to have a home tournament and, you know, just in the WTA stage in general, I think it's a huge step for tennis in the Philippines and women's tennis,” she said.

Eala is listed as a wildcard in the tournament. She will be competing in the main draw of the Australian Open, which will be her debut in that particular Grand Slam event.

Among the big names in the Philippine Women’s Open are World No. 42 Tatjana Maria, World No. 43 Wang Xinyu and World No. 70 Donna Vekic.

“I know some friends who are going to play there, so I'm so happy,” Eala said.

“That's going to bring a lot of inspiration and a lot of motivation for the girls back home, and it's just a big step in the right direction.”

The tournament is set from January 26 to 31. On the other hand, the Australian Open will run until February 1.

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