Camille Naredo

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio at NAIA Terminal 3, July 12, 2026. PSC photo

Article (news)

TENNIS

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – As the Philippines continues to feel the &quot;Alex Eala effect,&quot; the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) wants to fast-track plans and programs to help develop tennis in the country. Last January, the PSC and Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) hosted the county&#x27;s first-ever WTA tournament, the Philippine Women&#x27;s Open.  The two bodies have earlier expressed interest in hosting more international tennis tournaments -- including higher level events that are part of the WTA Tour -- in the future.&quot;Marami tayong ginagawa, marami tayong gagawin. And si Alex ang dahilan, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit kailangan nating pabilisin lahat ng plano for Philippine Tennis and Philippine Sports,&quot; PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said on Sunday. &quot;Natataas niya [Alex] yung antas at kredibilidad ng sports sa Pilipinas. We have to make sure na katulong ng Philippine Sports Commission si Alex para mahikayat, makumbinse, ma-inspire, hindi lang ang Philippine Sports Commission but lahat ng LGUs maybe to put up tennis courts all over the country, to organize more tennis events all over the country,&quot; he added. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/12/alex-eala-returns-home-following-historic-wimbledon-run-1446">READ: Alex Eala returns home following historic Wimbledon Run</a></div>Part of Gregorio&#x27;s thrust as PSC chair is to establish regional training centers in the provinces, in an effort to bring facilities closer to athletes and aid in grassroots development.  With the continued success of Eala and growing interest in tennis, the PSC chief deemed constructing competitive tennis courts should also be part of the priorities. &quot;Hindi pwede din yung tennis court natin sa Rizal [Memorial Sports Complex] lang. Kailangan may maganda rin tayong tennis court sa Visayas, meron rin tayo sa Mindanao, meron rin tayo sa Northern Luzon, meron rin tayo sa Southern Luzon. Yun yung aligned na aligned yung nangyayari sa tennis because of Alex sa programa ng Philippine Sports Commission,&quot; he said. Gregorio hinted at a major company seeking to build more tennis courts in Cebu City, following his visit last week. The PSC chief eyes Cebu City as a premier destination for major sporting events. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/6/tennis-alex-eala-s-wimbledon-campaign-ends-with-loss-to-italy-s-paolini-2300">READ: Alex Eala&#x27;s Wimbledon campaign ends with loss to Italy&#x27;s Paolini</a></div>&quot;May isang malaking kumpanya roon, saka na natin i-disclose kung sino, na talagang gusto magpatayo ng limang tennis courts, competition courts, so that Cebu can host WTA in the very near future,&quot; he shared. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783863579542746308602_1373808101307618_6408732856345624062_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio at NAIA Terminal 3, July 12, 2026. PSC photo"/>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio at NAIA Terminal 3, July 12, 2026. PSC photo</div>Gregorio likewise said the tennis court in Baguio City is already undergoing rehabilitation work.  &quot;Tuloy-tuloy po yan. Ang importante lang, when we do all of these tennis courts, taas na po natin yung quality so that we can host. Dapat po, hindi lang community courts ang ambisyuin natin, gawin na natin competition courts para maka-host din tayo ng maraming national events and international events,&quot; he said. &quot;Para makasabay tayo sa pag-angat ng galing ni Alex, kailangan umangat din yung hosting natin. So after WTA 125, 250 na yan. Tapos 500 na yan. Papunta ba tayo roon? Gusto ba natin yan? Gagawin talaga natin yan. Kung kailan, as soon as possible,&quot; Gregorio added. The inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women&#x27;s Open drew positive feedback from both WTA officials and players, as well as a high-turn out of fans. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/7/eala-i-leave-with-positives-after-wimbledon-exit-1027">READ: Eala leaving with &#x27;so many positives&#x27; after breakthrough Wimbledon run</a></div>

As the Philippines continues to feel the "Alex Eala effect," the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) wants to fast-track plans and programs to help develop tennis in the country.

As the Philippines continues to feel the "Alex Eala effect," the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) wants to fast-track plans and programs to help develop tennis in the country.

PSC eyes more courts, high-level tourneys to sustain growth of tennis

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PSC eyes more courts, high-level tourneys to sustain growth of tennis

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 12, 2026 10:08 PM PHT

Read More:

Tennis

Alex Eala

Philippine Sports Commission

PSC

Philippine Tennis Association

PHILTA

Patrick Gregorio

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