ADDING another surreal chapter to her season, Alex Eala will partner with former world No. 1 Venus Williams in the women’s doubles of the Bad Homburg Open after the pair received a wild card entry to the main draw.
The WTA 500 event in Germany marks the first partnership between Eala, now ranked No. 37 in the world, and the 45-year-old Williams, currently ranked No. 110 but her legacy secure as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
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The news was first reported by Tennis Channel on Monday morning.
Interestingly, the two were on opposite sides of the court just months ago at the ASB Classic in Auckland last January, where Eala and fellow teenager Iva Jovic defeated Williams and Elina Svitolina, 7-6(7), 6-1, in doubles play.
Now, Eala, 21, goes from facing Venus to playing beside the American great who won 22 doubles titles in her career including 14 in grand slam tournaments, most of them with her younger sister Serena.
Venus and Serena famously went 14-0 in Grand Slam doubles finals, building one of the greatest partnerships in tennis history. This time, the legend shares the court with a new-generation name quickly making her own.
"An all time legend and one of the most popular players around the globe? Good business decision giving them the wild card, that's ticket sales, but also, Williams sisters? Legends," Tennis Channel said in a broadcast report.
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