Alex Eala focuses on singles, pulls out of DC doubles with Venus

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala shed light on why her doubles reunion with Venus Williams at the Mubadala DC Open was a last-minute scratch.

Eala said that while it was an honor to play alongside the tennis legend, the Filipino rising star felt it was best for her to pull out of doubles competition as she won’t be able to be at her 100 percent in the event.

“I have tremendous respect for Venus. I am grateful for every opportunity I have to be by her side, to learn from her, to play with her,” Eala said during a pre-tournament press conference.

READ: Alex Eala faces Zheng Qinwen at Mubadala DC Open, team-up with Venus off

“But this is my first week since Wimbledon, and I think she deserves a partner who can give it her all physically, mentally, and emotionally when she is on the court with her.”

Eala and Williams received a wildcard entry at the DC Open doubles and even practiced on Saturday. Eala’s name, however, was nowhere to be found in the draw on Sunday, with Williams re-pairing with Russia’s Diana Shnaider.

“I think right now, I can only focus on singles. I am not capable of doing that for both singles and doubles. I am grateful for the opportunity I had, and I hope we see more of that in the future,” Eala added.

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Eala and Williams’ first foray together saw them reach the quarterfinal of the Bad Homburg Open doubles before yielding to Olivia Nicholls and Tereza Mihalikova, 6-3, 6-2, last month.

The 21-year-old Eala hasn’t played since her historic campaign at the Wimbledon Championships earlier this month. She lost to Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16.

Eala begins her US Open swing on Tuesday against reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the round of 32 of the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open in Washington, DC.

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