An elite international field and the country’s top netters are set to clash as the Palawan Open 2026 unfolds on Sunday, May 24, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
Boasting a hefty ₱2-million total prize pool, the week-long championship is designed to be more than just a premium tournament; it serves as the foundation for a sweeping nationwide movement aimed at reviving Philippine tennis from grassroots programs up to the professional global stage.
India’s Digvijay Singh headlines the highly competitive 64-player men’s singles main draw. The top-seeded Singh, who holds a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 485, anchors the upper half of the bracket and will launch his bid against local wildcard Ethan Cablitas.
Two other dangerous foreign contenders are primed to push the homegrown roster to their limits. American Christopher Papa, a doubles specialist with a career-best ATP ranking of No. 446, enters as the tournament’s No. 4 seed and will debut against Isaac Lim. India’s Aggarwal Parth claims the No. 5 seed, setting up an opening-round showdown with Joshua Ferrer.
Spearheading the Philippine defense are multi-titled veterans AJ Lim and Eric Jed Olivarez. Seeded No. 2, Lim aims to capitalize on his recent local championship streaks when he faces Adrian Cagitla. Meanwhile, third seed Olivarez looks to build on his impressive quarterfinal finish at the ITF M15 Luan in China as he battles Raphael Villanueva.
Other Filipino stalwarts favored to advance past the opening round include Asian Games veteran Casey Alcantara, John Benedict Aguilar, Nilo Ledama, Vicente Anasta, Arthur Pantino, John Kendrick Bona, Ronard Joven, Jarell Edangga, Lance Fernandez, Noel Salupado, and Loucas Fernandez.
Organizers emphasize that while the cash prizes are substantial, the tournament is a deliberate, long-term blueprint for the sport’s domestic growth.
“This tournament represents a vital investment in the future of Philippine tennis,” said Bobby Castro, founder and chairman of the organizing Palawan Group of Companies.
“Our goal is to provide local players with steady, high-level competition right here at home, expose them to world-class talent, and motivate the next generation of Filipino champions.”
To ensure sustainability, the Palawan Group of Companies announced that the Palawan Open will become a permanent annual fixture on the national sports calendar. The tournament is slated to rotate across major cities and provinces throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to boost regional sports tourism and unearth undiscovered talent.
The women’s singles division takes center stage on Monday, May 25, led by top seed Tennielle Madis, who opens her campaign against Althea Azores. Second seed Steffi Aludo faces a formidable qualifier, while No. 3 Tiffany Nocos meets Annika Diwa. Fourth seed Kaye-Ann Emana completes the early feature matches against Amygray Olao.
The men’s singles champion will take home the ₱300,000 top prize, while the runner-up secures ₱150,000. Losing semifinalists will pocket ₱100,000 each. The women’s singles champion is set to receive ₱100,000. Fierce competition is also expected in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events.
The tournament is presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gentry Timepieces, and Bagong Pilipinas. It is fully sanctioned and supported by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) and the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). Dunlop serves as the official ball, alongside major sponsors Franchise One Hotel, Queens at Bollywood Restaurant, Darlings Fine Jewels, Victoria Linen, and the Palawan Group of Companies.