Alexandra Eala Explains Why She Turned Down Doubles Reunion with Venus Williams at the Washington Open

Alexandra Eala has revealed why she decided not to continue her doubles partnership with former World No.1 Venus Williams at the Washington Open. The Filipino star explained that her decision is completely based on her current physical and mental level rather than a lack of interest in playing alongside the American legend.

Eala and Williams had one of the most intriguing bonds in their doubles partnership at the Bad Homburg Open. The duo reached the semi-finals of the tournament, which was their first tournament together. Fans were hoping that after their first collaboration success, the two would stick together.

But that is not the case, as Eala has opted not to play doubles at the Washington Open. The 21-year-old had a good run of form in the singles event during the grass-court season. She reached the semi-finals of the Berlin Tennis Open after beating top 10 stars Elina Svitolina and Elena Rybakina.

At the Wimbledon Championships, she defeated 2025 champion Iga Swiatek to reach the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in her career. She became the first Philippine player to reach that stage in a Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Williams has focused more on playing doubles events in your.

The 46-year-old is yet to win a singles match this season and has been in and out of the women’s circuit for the past two years. Eala revealed during her press conference at the Citi Open that she has so much respect for Williams and is so grateful for the opportunity to play with her at Bad Homburg, but wants to focus on singles events:

I have so much respect for Venus. I am so grateful for every opportunity that I have to be around her, to learn from her, to hit with her. I do think this is my first week coming back, and I think that Venus is someone who deserves a partner who can give their all physically, emotionally, mentally when they’re on court with her. Right now I think I can only do that for singles. I don’t have the capacity yet to be able to give that in both singles and doubles.

Williams has confirmed there was no issue between her and Eala not partnering in Washington, as she looks forward to an opportunity with her in the future. The American legend will partner with Diana Shnaider at the WTA 500 tournament in the US capital. Shnaider has been partnering with Mirra Andreeva in doubles competitions this year, but the latter is not competing in Washington.

Alexandra Eala faces tough draw at the Washington Open

Alexandra Eala must brace for a tough test on the court. The World No.29 will face top players at the Washington Open this week. She’s drawn in the bottom half of the bracket at the WTA 500 tournament, and she’s an unseeded player. She will open her account against 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng.

Zheng has not been the same player she was in 2024 since returning from an elbow injury late last year, but she got to a career-high ranking of World No.4. She reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open before losing the title to Aryna Sabalenka. Should she get past Zheng, Eala is likely to face Elina Svitolina, Leylah Fernandez and Naomi Osaka.

Already, Svitolina and Osaka have been projected to reach the semi-finals from that bracket, as they are the two top players in the bottom half of the draw. But before thinking about them, Eala might face Sofia Kenin or Emma Navarro in the third round of the tournament. Kenin is a former Australian Open champion.

Navarro is seeded eighth at the tournament. However, Eala will believe in her game and herself at the Washington Open. It won’t be an easy tournament, but she’s in the right form to face top players. She will derive confidence from her victory against four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.

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