Two generations of tennis will be teaming up in Germany as Alex Eala will be playing alongside the legendary Venus Williams in doubles competition at the Bad Homburg Open.
The 21-year-old Eala rides the momentum of her semifinal run at the WTA500 Berlin Open as she partners with the former world No. 1 in the doubles draw of the WTA500 Bad Homburg Open, which kicks off today. The Filipina-American tandem was initially slated to face Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and En-Shuo Liang of Chinese Taipei in Round 1, but Liang’s injury withdrawal handed them an extra day of preparation while awaiting the qualifier duo they will meet.
A Busy Next Few Days for Alex Eala
In singles, Eala—currently ranked No. 35—draws world No. 24 Elise Mertens of Belgium, a familiar foe who ousted her at the Madrid Open, 6-2, 6-1. Yet the buzz is louder around her team-up with Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam champion making her return to the tour.
“I am really, really excited,” Eala said, fresh off her Berlin campaign that ended in a 6-2, 6-4 semifinal loss to world No. 13 Linda Noskova of Czechia. “Venus is such a trailblazer and continues to do so much and has done so much for the sport. I like to say that women’s tennis has been a trailblazer for women’s sports and she is a big part of why that is.”
Heading into Wimbledon
Bad Homburg serves as Eala’s final tune-up before Wimbledon, set for June 29 to July 12 in London, where she enters as a seeded player—a historic first for the Philippines. Her grass-court record this season stands at 9-2, highlighted by wins over world No. 33 Donna Vekic of Croatia, No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Those victories earned her 195 ranking points and pushed her up to No. 30 in the WTA live rankings.
Momentum, history, and a legendary partner—Eala’s German summer is shaping up to be one for the books.
Alex Eala Next Match
Alex Eala/Venus Williams vs. Alexandra Osborne/Catherine Harrison
Tournament: WTA 500 Bad Homburg Open
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 5:00 p.m. (Time subject to change.)
Category: Doubles (Round of 16,)
