Venus Williams Opens Up After Sudden Split With Alexandra Eala As New DC Open Partner Sparks Confusion

Venus Williams and Alexandra Eala are no longer playing doubles together at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open. Their sudden separation has sparked confusion across the tennis community, as the American legend appears in the doubles draw with a new partner. Eala, meanwhile, has disappeared from that draw.

Venus Williams Shares Her Thoughts As Alexandra Eala Partnership Ends

Williams has competed only sparingly on the WTA Tour of late and was most recently in action, playing mixed doubles alongside Kevin Krawietz, at Wimbledon. She was also scheduled to play women’s doubles at the tournament with her sister, Serena, but the latter’s knee injury disrupted their much-awaited plan.

Before Wimbledon, Williams received wildcards in singles and doubles at the Bad Homburg Open. While she narrowly lost her opening singles match, she made a winning start in doubles with partner Eala. The pair lost their next match but enjoyed teaming up, and Williams also supported the 21-year-old during her matches at Wimbledon.

It was then announced that Venus Williams and Alexandra Eala would renew their partnership at the Mubadala DC Open (July 27-August 2), having received a doubles wildcard. They were also spotted practicing together on tournament grounds. When the draw was announced on Saturday, though, Williams was placed alongside Diana Shnaider, and Eala was nowhere to be seen on the list.

When quizzed about the abrupt change during her pre-tournament press conference, the 46-year-old said, according to tennis journalist Christian Basnight, “We had a great time playing at Bad Homburg, so we were looking forward to playing again. Didn’t work out this time.”

She, however, left the door open for a future partnership. “Would love for there to be future times. We’ll see what happens.”

Williams didn’t clarify the reason for Eala’s departure from doubles. The Filipino star hasn’t completely abandoned the WTA 500 tournament as she appears in the singles draw. Unseeded, she has drawn 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the first round. Zheng, who has slipped to World No. 123 after an injury-plagued spell on the sidelines, has secured a wildcard entry into the tournament.

Williams, meanwhile, has also received a singles wildcard and begins her campaign against a tough opponent in Anastasia Potapova. In doubles, she and Diana Shnaider have been placed against Quinn Gleason and Ulrikke Eikeri. Interestingly, Shnaider, the fourth seed in singles, awaits the winner of Williams vs. Potapova in the second round after a first-round bye.