“I can only do that for singles”: Alex Eala explains why she turned down Venus Williams doubles reunion in D.C.

Monday, 27 July 2026 at 02:30

Alexandra Eala has revealed why she decided not to continue her doubles partnership with Venus Williams at the DC Open, explaining that the decision was based on her current physical and mental condition rather than a lack of interest in sharing the court with one of tennis’ greatest legends.

The Filipino star and Williams had created one of the most intriguing doubles partnerships of the season at the Bad Homburg Open, where they reached the semifinals in their first tournament together. However, despite the success of their first collaboration, Eala decided that returning to singles competition had to be her priority after her breakthrough Wimbledon campaign.

While fans hoped to see the pair reunite in Washington, Eala explained that she did not feel ready to compete at the required level in both disciplines during the same week. Williams will still compete in the DC Open doubles draw, but she will now partner with Diana Shnaider, the Olympic silver medalist in women’s doubles and two-time WTA 1000 champion alongside her regular partner Mirra Andreeva.

Williams confirmed that there was no issue between the two players and left the door open for another opportunity with Eala in the future. The American legend also reflected on her sister Serena Williams’ comeback at Wimbledon, praising her performance despite her opening-round defeat against Maya Joint.

Eala explains why she chose singles over doubles with Venus

Eala made clear that declining the opportunity to play alongside Williams was not an easy decision, especially after their successful run together at Bad Homburg. “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,” Eala said in press conference.

The Filipino star explained that partnering with Williams requires complete commitment and that, at this stage of her return, she does not believe she can provide that while also managing a singles campaign.

“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,” Eala added. “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.”

Alex Eala and Venus Williams at the Bad Homburg Open 2026. They reached the quarterfinals and lost to the second seeds, Nicholls and Mihalikova.

Eala and Williams had previously impressed at the Bad Homburg Open, reaching the semifinals in their only tournament together. The partnership generated attention because of the contrast between Williams’ experience and Eala’s status as one of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.

However, after returning from her break, Eala chose to focus entirely on singles as she continues building momentum following her historic Wimbledon run, where she became the first Filipina player to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam.

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Williams, meanwhile, found a new partner for Washington in Shnaider. The Russian has become one of the leading doubles players of her generation, winning an Olympic silver medal in Paris and two WTA 1000 titles alongside Andreeva, including some of the biggest events on the calendar.

Despite the change, Williams emphasized that her partnership with Eala remains positive. “We had a great time playing at Bad Homburg so we were looking forward to playing again. Didn’t work out this time. Would love for there to be future times. We’ll see what happens,” Williams said.

Venus Williams praises Serena after Wimbledon comeback

Williams also addressed her sister Serena’s return to singles competition at Wimbledon, where the 23-time Grand Slam champion made her first singles appearance in four years. Serena received a wild card into the main draw but suffered a first-round defeat against Maya Joint, who produced one of the best performances of her career to secure the upset.

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Despite the result, Venus praised the level her sister showed during the match and suggested that the outcome was more a reflection of Joint’s exceptional performance on the day.

“She played stellar in that match. I think her level was so extraordinarily high. It was very unlucky,” the 7-time major champion said. “Sometimes you play players who are on fire, and they don't seem to maintain that level afterwards.”

Serena has not yet confirmed her next tournament after Wimbledon, although the North American hard-court swing remains a possible window for her return. She missed out on a wildcard entry in the singles, and it's still unclear whether she will ultimately play doubles in Toronto – considering that the same organization acknowledged maintaining contact with Serena regarding her participation in the tournament.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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