IT’S an A+ grade for the Philippines as it hosts the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament for the first time in history at the new Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
From the players to the coaches, officials and fans of the WTA, the country has passed the test with incredible skill and now has a great opportunity to play high-level tournaments in the coming years.
“It’s a shocking success. We talked to other coaches and players; and all their reviews were very positive. There are low standards (court, venue, hotel) that are monitored by the WTA but I think we exceeded that, including the special hospitality of the Filipino people. Everyone is happy and wants to be a part of something good,” said General Secretary of Philippine City and JohnILTA John May. Rey Tiangco, a former tennis player himself.
“Well, to tell you the truth, it’s a very good poll… If you ask me if the Philippines can be ready for a top-level tournament, then it’s ready,” said WTA chief Cristina Romero Contla of Mexico.
The Philippines has never had a tennis tournament of international standards like the WTA until this year with the Philippine Sports Commission led by Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and PHILTA coming together to make it happen, thanks to the inspiration from world sensation Alexandra Eala.
Although Ms. Having failed to reach the finals of his first domestic professional tournament, the big picture of trying to impress the world with the country’s ability to showcase international events was achieved, not to mention the sensational ending that the Filipinos supported though.
Tickets were, in fact, sold out from Day 1 to the final with or without Mrs Eala as crowd favorite Donna Vekic of Croatia and eventual champion Camila Osorio of Colombia were showered with equally warm love from the home fans.
For the WTA, that exclusive Filipino hospitality – marked by nail salons, spas and other health facilities within the area on top of state-of-the-art gyms, hotels and courts – was the X Factor, putting the Philippines in a league of its own compared to other countries as hosts.
“Well, I have to say that I have done several 125 and I have to say that this has a very high standard. In fact, it competes with 250 in different categories. And I think the most important part is that we all felt very welcome here in the Philippines,” Ms. Contla added.
Prominent players, who have been in every city on the WTA Tour throughout the year, agreed.
“I think outside of Colombia, this is No. 1 for me,” said Ms. Osorio, whose impressive run in Manila included a 6-4, 6-4 win over local star Ms. Eala also focused on winning 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the Paris Olympics, which won the silver medal Ms. Vekic. “I’ve never seen many people at my game when I’m away from home, I’m happy to play, I hope to come back.”
“It was a great pleasure to play in front of you. This city deserves a big tournament in the future so I hope to come back. I don’t know much Filipino but quick salamat,” added Ms. Vekic, who is called the “accepted Filipina” after being a good match for Ms. Eala despite losing their last two away games leading up to Manila.
“It’s great. I think everyone agrees with me that this tournament seems like it’s been around for years. It’s well organized,” added German legend Tatjana Maria, who came out number 1 on a hot trip. “It’s very, very nice here. Everyone is very kind.”
All of these signs lead to the WTA 250 next year, which most if not everyone expects.
But while the country checked all the boxes in its first WTA as part of a three-year contract with the WTA and as much as Filipino fans wanted, there is more to handle than the 250 or so ranking.
Compared to the 125 levels that the WTA owns and franchises in up to 60 cities each year, 250s, 500s and 1000s are already set up every year under private ownership.
“Yes, people want bigger and better, that’s expected. But it’s a different process,” explained Mr. Tiangco. “We have to deal with them. Either you rent or buy it, so we have to negotiate. It’s not a sure thing.”
Meanwhile while trying to pull out all the stops for the 250s and above tournaments, the Philippines will benefit greatly from its WTA franchise even with the 125 basic rankings and the planned hosting of the Asian junior and ITF tournaments. – John Bryan Ulanday
