The Philippine Women’s Open will make history with the very first WTA Tour event in the country on January 26.
Eala has already received a wild card for the event and her early exit from the Australian Open confirmed she would play the Manila event.
The Filipina has put eyes on the Philippines after taking the Australian Open by storm with huge crowds in Melbourne.
Tennielle Madis will join Eala in Manila, and now two more rising Filipino stars have received wild cards for the event.
Two Filipina stars confirmed for the Philippine Women’s Open
Kaye Ann Emana and Elizabeth Abarquez have been confirmed to receive wild cards for the Manila tournament.
Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Executive Director Tonette Mendoza confirmed the news just days before the very first event.
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She said: “We’re very, very happy to inform you that we’ve also upgraded the wild card of Kaye Ann Emana from qualifying to the main draw.
“The runner-up during the playoffs, Elizabeth Abarquez, is going to be in the qualifying draw. So we’ve given her the wild card also. Yeah, so there are now four [Filipinas] Alex, Tenny, Kaye and Elizabeth.”
Tatjana Maria, Lulu Sun, and Donna Vekic have also confirmed their attendance at the historic WTA Tour event.
What Alexandra Eala has said ahead of the Philippine Women’s Open
Eala will be one of the favourites to win her home tournament, despite her middling form at the Australian Open.
She will be one of the highest-ranked players in the tournament and will have the backing of thousands of Filipino fans.
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Speaking ahead of the tournament, Eala said: “It’s a huge milestone in Philippine tennis, and I think it’s a big deal for all of us Filipina tennis players.
“It’s been a dream to have a home tournament. I’m so happy that it’s going to bring a lot of inspiration for the girls back home.”
The draw for the Philippine Women’s Open will be made a few days before the main draw kicks off on 26 January.
