Meet Tenny Madis, PH’s No. 2 feminine participant behind Alex Eala

Tennielle ‘Tenny’ Madis, who’s ranked No. 2 within the nation behind Alex Eala, could fly below the radar, however she looms as one of many prime Filipina bets within the Philippine Ladies’s Open

MANILA, Philippines – As tennis surges within the Philippines on the again of Alex Eala’s rise, one other Filipino quietly climbs the ranks to develop into the nation’s second-best feminine participant.

Tennielle “Tenny” Madis, who’s ranked No. 2 within the nation behind Eala, could fly below the radar, however she looms as one of many prime Filipina bets within the Philippine Ladies’s Open from January 26 to 31.

Madis might be competing in the primary draw of the nation’s first-ever WTA 125 occasion via a wild card entry, alongside Eala, UAAP ladies’s tennis MVP Kaye Emana, who dominated the event’s pre-qualifying occasion, and NU’s Elizabeth Abarquez.

“I’m very grateful for the wild card spot because it’s an awesome alternative to compete at the next degree and acquire expertise,” the 18-year-old Madis mentioned in Filipino. “This can be a likelihood to be higher and be at my greatest.”

Madis faces Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who has career-high rating of world No. 100, on Monday, January 26. Sawangkaew reached her first WTA 125 closing within the Mumbai Open in India final yr.

A pleasure of M’lang, Cotabato, Madis is coming off a two-medal loot within the Southeast Asian Video games final December in Thailand, the place she received bronzes within the doubles and crew occasion.

Madis additionally dominated the ladies’s singles occasion within the Gentry Open and the Philippine Columbian Affiliation championship.

After climbing the nationwide rankings over the previous yr, Madis — nonetheless a highschool scholar via homeschool — is predicted to play varsity collegiate tennis on the College of Hawaii, including to the crop of Filipino tennis gamers overseas. 

Madis trains on the Philippine Tennis Academy below her coach Bobie Angelo.

The Manila event might be Madis’ first WTA occasion as she will get an opportunity to check her mettle in opposition to world-ranked opponents.

“My purpose is to compete, have enjoyable, and do my greatest as a result of I do know my opponents are stronger than me. I simply need to focus and carry the Philippine flag properly,” she mentioned.

“I’ve no strain in any respect. The wild card actually means loads to me, so I’m excited,” Madis added. “I’m aiming to do properly on the courtroom.”

Notably, Madis has been on the sidelines all through the qualifying spherical, maybe soaking within the environment earlier than her first WTA match. 

For Madis, Filipino followers might be a large enhance as she goals to advance previous the opening spherical.

“I’ve been coaching constantly so seeing the Filipinos watching might be particular,” she mentioned. – Rappler.com