Tennielle Madis bowed out of the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open on Monday after a straight-sets loss to Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, but the scoreline told only part of the story. In the opening round of the country’s first-ever WTA 125 tournament, the 18-year-old Filipino put up a spirited challenge that hinted at a promising future for Philippine tennis.
Playing under the early-morning lights at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila, Madis fell 6-4, 6-0 to the more seasoned Sawangkaew. The match lasted just over an hour, yet it carried significance beyond the result, highlighting both the growing competitiveness of local players and the steep climb they face on the international circuit.
A bright start, then experience takes over
Madis, currently the Philippine No. 2, began with confidence. She broke serve early and raced to a 2-0 lead in the opening set, drawing energy from a supportive home crowd. Sawangkaew, a SEA Games 2025 silver medallist, responded with composure, gradually reeling the teenager back in and levelling at 4-4 before closing out the set 6-4.
The second set proved more one-sided. Sawangkaew raised her intensity, dictating play from the baseline and capitalising on unforced errors to complete a 6-0 sweep. It was a stark reminder of the gap that still exists between emerging talents and established regional contenders.
Progress since the SEA Games
Despite the loss, the match marked a clear step forward for Madis. The two players last met at the 2025 SEA Games, where Sawangkaew dispatched the Filipina with greater ease. This time, Madis showed sharper footwork, improved shot selection and a willingness to take risks—qualities that did not go unnoticed by her opponent.
“I played against her in the SEA Games last time, so this time, she played much better,” Sawangkaew said afterwards. “She improved a lot [in] her game, and then I can feel [that] she can be a good player in the future.”
A historic stage for Philippine tennis
The Philippine Women’s Open, running from January 23 to 31 with a $115,000 prize pool, represents a milestone for the sport in the country. As the first WTA 125 event ever staged in the Philippines, it has drawn players from across Asia and beyond, placing Manila firmly on the international tennis calendar.
For local athletes like Madis, the tournament offers rare exposure to top-tier competition without leaving home soil—a proving ground that can accelerate development in a sport long overshadowed domestically by basketball and volleyball.
Gallant exits, one Filipina left standing
Madis was not alone in her early exit. Several Philippine entries bowed out in the opening rounds, underscoring the depth of the challenge. By Monday’s end, Alexandra Eala emerged as the last Filipina remaining in the 32-player singles draw after advancing to the second round.
Still, the collective effort painted a picture of progress rather than failure. Madis’ willingness to engage, adapt and compete against a higher-ranked opponent mirrored the broader trajectory of Philippine tennis: learning through tough losses, gaining ground inch by inch.
Crowd support and regional promise
Sawangkaew also pointed to the atmosphere in Manila as a positive sign for the sport’s future in Southeast Asia. “It’s a beautiful crowd here and people come to support Southeast Asia a lot… so it’s good to see everyone to come to support here,” she said.
As the tournament continues toward its January 31 final, Madis’ campaign may already be over, but her performance offered a glimpse of what sustained investment, exposure and patience could yield. For Philippine tennis, the defeat felt less like an ending—and more like another necessary chapter in a long game.
