Joanna Tao Yee Tan (left) will lead the country’s campaign in the Manila Open, the third leg of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour, which was formally launched at Padel Play in Mandaluyong City on Thursday (Feb. 20, 2025). Tan is currently No. 2 in the APPT rankings. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)Â
Filipino athlete Joanna Tao Yee Tan is aiming for another podium finish at the Manila Open, the third leg of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT), set to take place this weekend at Padel Play Club in Mandaluyong City.
Tan, currently ranked No. 2 in the APPT standings, will partner with Mariam Yasmin Garsin as they take on Anna Christine Patrimonio and Bambi Zoleta in the opening round of the professional women’s category on Saturday. Other tournament divisions include professional men’s and mixed categories and amateur men’s, women’s, and mixed events.
“I’ll do my best and make our country proud again,” said Tan, who has consistently demonstrated her prowess in international padel competitions.
In December last year, Tan joined forces with 10-time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis champion Marian Capadocia, securing victories in APPT legs held in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. In September, the duo also claimed a silver medal at the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup in Bali, Indonesia.
Patrimonio, daughter of PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, was a standout for National University’s multi-title-winning tennis team in the UAAP, while Zoleta garnered multiple medals as a key member of the Philippine soft tennis squad.
“I expect a tough match, so I just have to be prepared,” Zoleta shared in an interview on Friday. She reached the semifinals in Phuket, Thailand, and the quarterfinals in Bali and Hong Kong last year.
“This is another sport in which I want to excel. I’m determined to refine my skills in padel, just as I have in pickleball, so rigorous training is necessary,” added Zoleta, whose elder sister, Bien, is the country’s top-ranked soft tennis player.
Manila Open officially launched
The Manila Open was formally launched on Thursday at a press conference attended by Tan, APPT president Carlos Carillo, APPT director David Maxwell, and Padel Pilipinas executive director Atty. Jacqueline Gan, Joma export area manager Xueting Ye, national team head coach Bryan Joshua Casao, and team captain Argil Lance “LA” Cañizares.
The tournament will feature around 100 teams from 25 countries, with a total prize pool of USD 2,000 awarded to the professional category’s men’s and women’s champions.
Following the Manila Open, the Batangas Open will occur from February 28 to March 2 at Palm Beach Resort in San Juan, Batangas.
APPT partners with Joma
The APPT also announced an official sponsorship agreement with Joma, a globally renowned sportswear and equipment brand based in Spain. This partnership is expected to further elevate the stature of padel in the Philippines and across the region.
Padel Pilipinas, led by Senator Pia Cayetano, has gained official recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. Last year, the organization successfully hosted an Open tournament, attracting 170 players from 108 teams.
The growing popularity of padel
Padel, a sport of Mexican origin, combines elements of tennis and squash.
Typically played in doubles, the game takes place on an enclosed court with glass and metallic mesh walls, adding a dynamic aspect to its gameplay. With its rising popularity worldwide, the sport continues to gain traction in the Philippines, bolstered by the efforts of APPT and Padel Pilipinas.
With the Manila Open set to showcase top-tier talent, Filipino athletes like Joanna Tan want to make a mark and continue the country’s growing presence in international padel competitions.