MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will host the eighth leg of the 2016 ATP World Tour from Jan. 18-24, to kick off activities at the newly refurbished center court of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The center court has undergone a P10-million facelift including resurfacing, installation of roofing, fixing of lighting for night games and bleacher seats for spectators. Works are expected to be completed in time for the opening of the $75,000 netfest.
“This will be the first tournament to be played at the newly renovated center court,” said Commissioner Buddy Andrada of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Pinoy netters will get the chance to pit skills against higher-ranked rivals in the international meet and possibly gain ranking points.
“It will be a strong field. Players in the Top 200 will be coming over,” said Philippine Tennis Association secretary general Romeo Magat.
As host, the Philippines will be granted three wild card berths.
Jeson Patrombon, AJ Lim and Francis Casey Alcantara are being considered for the spots but the Philta is still in the process of selection.
The country also made a bid to stage the Fed Cup’s Asia-Oceania Zone Group II action in April but was forced to back out due to financial constraints. Thailand will host it instead in the seaside resort of Hua Hin.
According to Andrada, they estimated a cost of $40,000 for the hosting but would only be entitled to a grant of $20,000.
“We requested if they can increase the grant to $30,000 but they declined and so we didn’t get the hosting rights,” said Andrada, the honorary lifetime president of the Asian Tennis Federation.