MANILA, Philippines — Former world No. 17 and Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia and resurgent German veteran Tatjana Maria, No. 45 in the world, head the impressive list of early entries in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open kicking off Jan. 26 at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Both were on the provisional list of 24 players released over the weekend by the Women’s Tennis Association in the 32-player draw for the country’s first WTA 125 tournament.
In the event they are available, hometown favorite and Thailand SEA Games gold medalist Alex Eala (No. 53) and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen (No. 56) were awarded wild cards by Philta (Philippine Tennis Association).
Eala and Tjen are in the main draw of the Australian Open that runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1 at the Melbourne Park hardcourts in Melbourne, Australia, and which overlaps with the Philippine Women’s Open.
Vekic, 29, a 2024 Wimbledon semifinalist, is now ranked No. 69 but still remains among the players to watch in the blue-ribbon competition organized by Philta and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and Philta officials inspected the progress of the facility’s refurbishment last Friday, and liked what they saw.
“22 days to go before WTA 125. So no Christmas break, no New Year break. No holiday break. Everybody’s here, Philta is here, (the PSC) commissioners, PSC people are here,” said Gregorio.
“We’re all here just to make sure we transform Rizal Tennis (Center) as a showcase for the first-ever hosting of the WTA 125 in Manila,” added Gregorio.
Vekic is a product of the famed img Academy founded by American tennis instructor Nick Bolletieri, and produced Grand Slam champions Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
Since turning pro at 17, the Croatian has earned a whopping $10,217,035 (around P601 million) over her career and does charity work in her hometown of Osijek, opening three public courts modelled after Grand Slam venues.