MANILA: Jessica Agra, the top-ranked player in the Philippine Padel Association (PPA) women's pro rankings, is set to compete in the Melbourne Open as part of her strategy to enhance her global standing in the International Padel Federation (FIP) rankings. Agra, currently positioned at No. 340 in the FIP rankings, is focused on participating in more tournaments to improve her international ranking.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agra is the leading player in the PPA women's pro rankings with 6,960 points, ahead of Alenna Dawn Magpantay, who holds the second position with 5,740 points. Other notable players in the rankings include Christine Patrimonio with 3,900 points, Bambi Zoleta with 3,420 points, Mayumi Penntoft with 2,660 points, and Joanna Tan with 2,600 points. Alessa Belbes, Jessica Lucas, and Michelle Dickson are tied for eighth place, each with 2,000 points.

Agra expressed her satisfaction with her progress in 2024, highlighting the significance of reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the PPA rankings after dedicating the year to sports and taking padel seriously. The 32-year-old lawyer is now focusing on the Melbourne Open, a silver category event in the 2025 Cupra FIP Tour, scheduled for next week. She will team up with Yoshino Kushima, a Japan national team member ranked No. 301 globally. The pair is seeded eighth in the tournament, with Agra contributing 10 points and Kushima 13, totaling 23 points.

Agra's career includes a background as a top junior tennis player, with three ITF doubles titles to her name. She was ranked No. 2 in the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) last May after winning the Phuket Open in Thailand with Indonesian partner Beatrice Gumulya. Her previous FIP-sanctioned events include partnerships with Fil-Omani Sarah Al Balushi in Abu Dhabi, Swiss national player Gaelle Rey in Manila, and Mexican Elizabeth Hernandez in Dubai.