Venus Williams is back at the US Open, and she cannot stop praising the Philippines’ Alex Eala. Before opening her singles campaign, the seven-time Grand Slam champion trained with Eala and called her “a world star”.
Venus and Eala, an unlikely doubles pairing
Eala and Venus trained together ahead of the US Open singles draw, with the tournament even posting a video of the pair practicing. It was the latest chapter in a growing bond that started this season, when the two teamed up at the Bad Homburg Open in June and again at the Canadian Open earlier this month.
Venus revealed she was the one who first sought out Eala as a doubles partner. “I was targeting Alex and we had the best time playing”, she said after their doubles run. “I think we played really well.”
“Alex is a world star”
Venus had nothing but praise for her Filipina partner. She even floated the idea of Eala someday teaming up with her sister Serena. “I think Alex has got to put on her list to play with Serena one day, then she can complete the Williams sisters“, Venus quipped.
Venus is also back in the doubles draw with Serena at this US Open, after the sisters received a wild card into the women’s doubles.
Their bond, at a glance
| Moment | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bad Homburg Open (June) | Eala and Venus team up in doubles |
| Canadian Open (August) | The tandem plays doubles together |
| US Open practice | The two train ahead of the singles draw |
| Venus on Eala | “Alex is a world star” |
What is next for Eala
Eala, the 17th seed, opens her US Open singles run in the first round, and fans can catch her first-round match after a breakthrough year that included a fourth-round run at Wimbledon. She is also set to play in the “Stars of the Open” exhibition.
