Palawan Open singles champ Madis looks up to Eala
MANILA, Philippines — Every Filipino tennis player either wants to be Alex Eala or thankful to her for uplifting the sport in the country.
Count Tennielle Madis as one of them.
“I’m thankful to Alex Eala for her inspiration and for helping where Philippine tennis is right now,” said Madis, who turned back a returning Marian Jade Capadocia, 6-2, 7-6 (5), on Sunday to claim the Palawan Open 2026 women’s singles title at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
It was the third title for the 18-year-old M’lang, Cotabato native, the country’s No. 2-ranked netter — next only to Eala — after in San Carlos and the National Open early this year.
It was also Madis’ second win in three outings with Capadocia, the country’s former No. 1 who had the misfortune of peaking during the pandemic and at the time when the tennis association was under suspension.
“You have to really give it all if you are playing her (Capadocia),” said Madis, who will compete in a tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next.
For her feat, Madis pocketed P150,00 courtesy of Palawan Pawnshop.
It wasn’t a bad result for Capadocia, who gave birth to a son late last year, as she somehow scratched and clawed her way to the finals and had to battle her way despite nursing a numb right hand.
“I’ve tried to fight it but it wasn’t enough,” she said.
Like Madis, Capadocia showed gratitude to Eala for the tennis’ growth.
“So many fans and I thank Alex Eala for making tennis more popular in our country,” she said.
In men’s play, Filipino-American Christopher Papa downed AJ Lim, 6-4, 6-4, to claim the men’s singles crown.
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