VENUS WILLIAMS ENDS DOUBLES PARTNERSHIP WITH ALEXANDRA EALA

Venus Williams has ended her doubles partnership with Alexandra Eala at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, scheduled to run from 27 July to 2 August. The pair had been announced weeks earlier with a wildcard entry for the event. Williams confirmed the split at her pre-tournament press conference, stating the arrangement "didn't work out this time" despite having "a great time playing at Bad Homburg". The American said she remained open to partnering with Eala in future.

Williams and Eala had competed together at the Bad Homburg Open, a WTA 500 event, where they reached the quarterfinals. Williams received wildcards in both singles and doubles at Bad Homburg, narrowly losing her singles match against Irina-Camelia Begu. The pair were spotted practising together at the Washington venue before the doubles draw was released. Williams will now compete in the doubles draw alongside Diana Shnaider, a Russian player.

Eala remains in the singles draw at the Mubadala DC Open. The exact reason for the partnership's dissolution has not been publicly disclosed. Neither Williams nor Eala has provided further detail about the circumstances of the split beyond Williams's statement at the press conference.