MANILA -- The Tennis Center at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will get a new look for the country's hosting of the Philippine Women's Open next year.
The Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will be the venue for Manila's first-ever WTA 125 tournament from January 26 to 31, 2026.
Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (PHILTA) Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said renovations will begin next week.
READ: Manila to host first WTA tourney as Philippine Women's Open scheduled for January 2026
"Right now we're having the ITF J30 in Rizal Memorial, that's our venue. But right after the championships on Sunday, we will be fixing all the courts. We'll put stands and everything so marami pong gagawin," he said at a press conference on Friday in Pasay City.
"One of our challenges when we were discussing with WTA was the venue. Because they have strict requirements. So we gave them two options: Rizal Memorial and the one in Bulacan. They have 11 world-class tennis courts but it's too far," Tiangco explained.
Ultimately, Tiangco said the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court was the venue approved by the WTA.
"We have to do a lot of resurfacing, we have to put a lot of rooms, we have to fix the locker rooms, everything," he shared.
"One of the bigger challenges yung stands po. So the [WTA] requirement is three courts and two practice courts. In Court 1 and Court 3, doon natin ilalagay yung stands. Yung center court is Court 2. We'll be using Court 4 and Court 6," Tiangco explained.
The bleachers that will still be built aim to seat about 2,000 spectators, larger than the WTA requirement of 750 for the crowd.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio admits the timeline is tight for renovation, but he believes it's something long overdue.
Gregorio said the estimated amount for renovations is between P50 to P70 million.
"We'll start. If it has to be 24/7, it will be 24/7. We can make that happen. One good example is, you've seen what we did in PhilSports, yung futsal. It's a world class facility. We did that in less than 60 days," he shared.
"This will give us a chance to also renovate the facilities. But sa akin, yun na ho ang ambisyunin natin. Konting dagdag sa gastos, pero mas malaki ang pakinabang ng bansa, mas malaki ang pakinabang ng sport, mas malaki ang pakinabang sa. tourism," Gregorio added.
The PSC official said the renovation will not just cover the tennis courts.
"When we say it's not just a tennis court. It's from the looking field. By the time you enter the complex until you get out, it will be very nice. It has to look nice. It has to look world-class," Gregorio said.
Tiangco said they received the formal letter from the WTA accepting the country's application to host the WTA 125 tournament.
"This is historic. This is the first time we're having this and hosting this WTA women's professional tournament. It's a great opportunity for Filipinos to watch live top women professional players. We can learn from them and our young tennis players can be inspired by watching," he said.
FAN EXPERIENCE, TICKETS
PHILTA promises a memorable experience for tennis fans and the community during the Philippine Women's Open.
"We’re going to have a fan zone in the baseball field. So we're going to have activities there related to tennis hosted by our sponsors and concessionaires. And mini-tennis for those who give little kids who want to learn how to play tennis," PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza said.
The PHILTA official said they are still working on ticketing, but assured the prices will not be expensive to allow more Filipinos the chance to watch live.
The Philippine Women's Open will run from January 26 to 31, 2026.