Venus Williams has high praise for 'world star' Alex Eala

MANILA, Philippines —Tennis legend Venus Williams was all praise for doubles partner Alex Eala, whom she called a “world star,” after their latest pairing in Toronto.

Williams, a 14-time doubles Grand Slam champion, said she had sought out Eala as a partner and was impressed with her characteristics on and off the court.

READ: Venus Williams calls Alex Eala her ‘best partner’ after team-up

“She’s just incredible. Besides the fact of her tennis, she’s an incredible person, well-spoken, and just an impressive young lady. So I like being around those kinds of things. I think we both lift each other up,” Williams said of Eala.

While their run lasted just one match this time after falling to Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato, 6-4, 6-3, in the Canadian Open round of 32, Williams said she still enjoyed their time on the court.

“We had the best time playing. We almost played in DC, then we had an amazing chance to play here,” Williams said. “I think we played really well. We just fell a little bit short. But we were in there in all those games on those deciding points, and just didn’t have the luck today.”

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READ: Alex Eala-Venus Williams tandem set for Canadian Open

Eala and Williams rallied from deficits in both sets, but Samsonova and Kato had all the answers to their attempts, including a six-game run spanning the first two sets, en route to the win.

Eala, for her part, sees her team-up with Williams as one of the barometers of her career progress and a golden learning opportunity.

“The fact that I got to play doubles with Venus is like an amazing highlight to my career,” Eala said. “To be able to partner up with you, Venus, [is] an amazing chance, and I guess it shows kind of how far I’ve been able to come.

“I think when I’m on court with Venus there’s a lot I can learn about mentality. When I’m on court with her, it also pushes me to kind of match her energy.”

Eala continues her campaign in the National Bank Open in the round of 32 against Caty McNally. Williams, meanwhile, is headed to the Cincinnati Masters, where she will partner up with sister Serena Williams.

“I think Alex has got to put on her list to play with Serena one day,” Williams said with a smile. “Then she can complete the Williams sisters.”

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