Bad Homburg Open: Eala and Williams form dream doubles team

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
June 23, 2026

(Photo courtesy: WTA)

GERMANY – Filipino rising tennis star Alex Eala has joined forces with American legend Venus Williams for the upcoming WTA500 Bad Homburg Open in Germany.

This exciting doubles partnership marks a significant moment as the 21-year-old Eala teams up with the 46-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Originally scheduled to face a Japanese and Chinese Taipei duo, their opponents withdrew due to injury, granting the pair extra time before their Round 1 qualifier match.

Eala expressed immense excitement, calling Williams a true trailblazer for women’s sports.

Fresh off a strong performance in Berlin where she reached the final four, Eala is using this tournament as her final tune-up before Wimbledon.

There, she will compete as a seeded player, a historic first for the Philippines. In singles play, she faces Belgium’s Elise Mertens, a familiar opponent who previously defeated her in the opening round of the Madrid Open.

With a current grass-court record of 9-2, including victories over top-ranked players, Eala aims to build momentum for the prestigious London tournament starting June 29.