Where Camila Osorio Felt at Home

Playing in a place that feels like home can change everything. The courts don’t feel as cold. The noise doesn’t feel like pressure — it feels like fuel. That’s exactly what this week in the Philippines felt like for Camila Osorio, the first-ever Philippine Women’s Open champion.

“It’s so nice. It’s so nice. I think you guys are very passionate when it comes to sports. And you’re always very involved, which I really enjoy.”

She didn’t just see a crowd. She saw something familiar. She felt at home.

“I think we’re very similar in that way. You know, in Latin America, or in Colombia, we’re very passionate… and you can connect with that energy.”

That connection showed on court. Every point drew a reaction. Every rally had life. For a player who spends most of the year moving from country to country, that kind of warmth doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Yeah, for sure. I think besides Colombia, this is my top one… it’s in the top three for sure. I really enjoyed the environment.”

Osorio is no stranger to pressure. The former US Open junior champion and multi-time WTA title winner has been on big stages before. But even in a place that feels good, tennis still asks hard questions. Matches tighten. Momentum swings. And that’s where mindset takes over.

“I was telling myself, you like this. You enjoy this. Trying to be very, very positive. The last game, I was just trying to smile and I was like, listen, this is what I’ve been working for. So if I don’t enjoy it, what’s the point?”

Instead of tightening up, she leaned into the moment. The pressure didn’t disappear. She just chose how to respond to it. On court, that meant patience. Longer rallies. One more ball. For Osorio, staying positive was the key to staying calm.

“I was just like, come on, you got it. This is what you wanted. This is what you worked for. My advantage will be the longer rally. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Her run this week wasn’t built on forcing winners. It was built on calm. She stayed steady through mistakes and setbacks. You could see it clearly — cheering herself on, keeping her morale up, refusing to spiral.

“I feel like I’ve been very calm and very composed the whole week. I was very focused on what I had to do instead of results or pressure or anything. I was just focusing on playing tennis, which is something I really love and enjoy.”

That doesn’t mean every day feels easy. Like any athlete, some mornings come with heavy legs, low motivation, or nerves.

“Well, some days, of course, you don’t feel as good. But it’s about discipline. Even if there’s not much motivation, you’ve still got to do the work.”

She keeps one reminder close: It’s about performance, not about feelings. Nervous or confident, the job doesn’t change.

Still, when the surroundings feel right, everything flows more easily.

“Since I got here, I was just like, wow, this is really great. My whole mood, everything was going my way. The food is unreal, man. It’s so good.”

The nerves were still there, especially early. Osorio came into the week after a difficult start to her season, including a first-round exit at the Australian Open and early losses that tested her confidence. Another quick exit wasn’t an option.

“Yeah, for sure, the first match, I was really, really nervous. Too many mistakes. I was trying to go for too much.”

So she reset. Breathed. Simplified. As the matches went on, she found her rhythm. Even her pre-match routine reflects how human the process is — it changes from week to week.

“It changes depending on the week.”

Lately, she’s been watching more tennis, sometimes even following other matches right before stepping on court. Before her semifinal match in Manila, she was watching Carlos Alcaraz face Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, is he going to win or not?’”

Even at the highest level, players get caught in their thoughts. But once Osorio steps on court, the focus narrows.

The crowd. The rallies. The reminders she tells herself. The lessons she carries from losses.

You like this. You worked for this. Enjoy it.

In a place where the fans met her energy point for point, that part came naturally.

Follow ALL-STAR Magazine and Chin’s coverage of the WTA Philippines Open here.