"I think I’m going to love it out there” - How Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexandra Eala teamed up for US Open mixed doubles

Felix Auger-Aliassime will soon take to the court at Flushing Meadows along with the best players in the world determined to secure Grand Slam success at the US Open. Before his singles campaign starts, he is set to make his first foray into the US Open mixed doubles event alongside the popular Alexandra Eala.

This is one of the most striking and noticeable partnerships in the tournament simply due to the fanbase and followers Eala has racked up in her short time in the spotlight. She is also a player in form having come off an excellent grass swing to win the DC Open title, defeating the likes of Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and the number one seed Jessica Pegula in the process.

She has exited the Cincinnati Open in the third round against reigning US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova as she sets her sights on the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, determined to keep making an impression on the big stage.

Before the singles campaign has any chance of getting underway, Eala will take to court with Auger-Aliassime. There are a number of unique partnerships on for show in this event with ATP and WTA singles stars being mashed up together. This one has a lot of potential to be a hit.

Eala has regularly played doubles in her time on the WTA Tour, most recently partnering with Venus Williams as well with the likes of Coco Gauff and Iva Jovic. Auger-Aliassime is less seen in this category, playing in two tournaments this year with Sebastian Korda and Denis Shapovalov as his partners. He has had some success, winning the 2020 Paris Masters doubles event alongside Hubert Hurkacz as well as taking home a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Gabriela Dabrowski.

Speaking to the Tennis Channel, he detailed how this partnership occurred. “Well, same agency and then I think the people in our teams kind of talked and made that happen," he said, going on to share his excitement for the unique event.

“But yeah, it’s a great opportunity because obviously I didn’t play last year, but this time around to kind of feel what it’s like to have the Eala effect and fan base behind me. It’s going to be it’s going to be funny because she’s younger than me, but she has a fan base, right? Like she’s carrying the the crowd. So, it’s going to be interesting.”

Auger-Aliassime has high ambitions for the US Open, and needs to be in the most competitive mindset for the event and as prepared as possible. The two-time semi-finalist believes that the mixed doubles is the perfect test to get his eye in on court while the pressure is off.

“But, you know what it is? I think what’s great is it keeps you in that competitive mindset,” he continued. “It’s so different when you’re kind of relaxed and you’re training and doing appearances and sponsor stuff, like it’s different than being out there on the court when somebody wants to beat you, right? Like that that competitive thing when you’re out there in the arena.

“So to stay in touch with that during the week with the mixed doubles, that is also not as much pressure as the singles court, I think is a great thing. And everybody’s playing the part, everybody’s being super competitive, so I think I’m going to love it out there.”

Before any trace of thought about the US Open can leek into his mind, Auger-Aliassime still has a Cincinnati Open title to fight for. He has never tasted Masters 1000 success, losing in the final of the 2024 Madrid Open and 2025 Paris Masters to Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner.

His form in Cincinnati over the years has been decent amid a touch of inconsistency. In seven previous attempts, he has reached the quarter-final three times while failing to get past it. That includes last year when he won just two games against a rampant Sinner.

However, the Italian is no longer in the tournament, and nor is Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic, making him one of the outright favourites. Being the number two seed, he is in the opposite draw if his most potent threat Alexander Zverev, but still has a tough route through to the final. Frances Tiafoe is his last-16 opponent as he looks to confirm a 14th Masters 1000 quarter-final. The winner of Lorenzo Musetti and Jaime Faria will be the next opponent with possibly Taylor Fritz or Canadian Open finalist Brandon Nakashima awaiting in the last-four.