Serena Williams and Alexandra Eala in doubles? Venus Williams hints at ultimate bucket-list dream after doubles exit

It was a brief and short Canadian Open for Venus Williams who alongside Alexandra Eala went out in the first round of the doubles in Toronto against Miyu Kato and Liudmila Samsonova in a 6-4, 6-3 loss. The chemistry between the pair was visible in their press conference after the match with Williams suggesting that her partner should one day team up with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

It was the second tournament both Williams and Eala have played together in. They won on debut as a partnership at the Bad Homburg Open before losing to the second seeds in the quarter-finals.

They reunited in Canada as they looked to put on a spectacle for the crowd on Centre Court. While it was entertaining, their campaign in the doubles would come to a swift conclusion following a straight sets loss.

Kato and Samsonova broke instantly off the bat, and it would not be until the eighth game before Eala and Williams got level. However, they were instantly broken straight after and would fall behind. A dreadful start to the second set saw Kato and Samsonova storm out into a 4-0 lead with four consecutive breaks of serve being played out to culminate the match.

While it would have been a frustrating blow for the pair to lose, it was still an enjoyable match on court and one both players relished. They spoke to the media afterwards, in which Williams hinted a very special and lovely moment with Eala.

"I think Alex should add playing with Serena one day to her to-do list," she commented, with the 21-year-old reacting instantly saying, "Oh my God!" Williams continued: "That way, she can complete the Williams sisters."

The Williams sisters were supposed to compete on court for the first time since the US Open 2022 at Wimbledon but those aspirations were halted following an injury picked up by Serena Williams in the singles defeat against Maya Joint.

"I think everyone was really looking forward to Wimbledon, but it didn't go as we hoped," the American said. "So I hope we can get back on court, find our rhythm, and pick up where we left off."

For Eala, it was an incredible moment to be stepping onto the court and being in the same conversation as some of the greatest tennis players to compete and was full of praise for them. "For me, it's extremely inspiring. What the Williams sisters have done for tennis is incredible. They continue to do it and help, especially women in sports."

She recalled how she saw Williams' return at Wimbledon live. "I remember when Serena returned at Wimbledon, I went to watch her match from the stands, near the end of the second set and the beginning of the third. Being able to truly experience that live, and up close like I couldn't when I was younger, is a great pleasure for me."

The dream is very much on to compete with both Williams sisters. For now, Eala will focus on the singles campaign. She is coming off the back of winning a maiden WTA title at the DC Open and begun her tournament in Toronto with a three-set win over Alycia Parks. She will hope to make it seven wins on the spin against Caty McNally for a spot in the last-16.