Serena Williams has confirmed she won’t play doubles with sister Venus upon her Wimbledon return after injuring her knee in the defeat to Aussie Maya Joint. This comes as tennis fans react to Alexandra Eala defeating defending champion Iga Swiatek in Round 3.
Williams received plenty of attention after going down in three sets to Aussie youngster Joint in the first round of her retirement comeback at Wimbledon. Williams failed to show up to her media duties, which prompted suggestions she could receive a $72,000 fine for skipping the commitment.
Serena Williams (pictured right) has withdrawn from her doubles match with sister Venus upon her knee injury, while Alexandra Eala has stunned fans knocking out Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon. (Images: Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
However, Williams announced she injured her knee in the loss – exempting her from media duties – and was a doubt for the doubles clash with sister Venus. Novak Djokovic even jumped to her defence after criticism surrounding her decision to come out of retirement.
Although in sad news for her fans, Williams has announced she won’t be fit enough to play with her sister in the doubles and has withdrawn from the draw. “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus Williams once more meant the world to me,” she wrote on social media.
“I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.” Williams showed photos of the procedure undergone in an attempt to be fit for the doubles with fluid extracted from her knee.
Unfortunately for the champion, she wasn’t able to overcome the setback she suffered against Joint in the first set. Although she did hint she would be back soon, which could be an appearance in Toronto in a few weeks.
Alexandra Eala produces all-time Wimbledon upset
Meanwhile, young Filipino tennis star Eala has prodcued the biggest upset of her promising career having knocked out Swiatek in straight sets. In front of a boisterous crowd, Eala proved too strong for the defending Wimbledon champion.
And the 21-year-old had everyone on Centre Court emotional after her post-match comments. “For someone who grew up in the Philippines, I went to training with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my ruffled socks and my light-up shoes and chubby cheeks, so to her, this is everything,” Eala said.
Eala has garnered an enormous tennis following as one of the first big Filipino tennis stars. She plays in front of passionate fans where ever she plays around the world. And it showed again at Wimbledon with the crowd erupting after winning match point.
Alexandra Eala (pictured) has captured the hearts of the tennis world after defeating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
(Robert Prange via Getty Images)
Speaking during the press conference, Eala had some words to her young fans who aspire to reach her level. “It’s an honour to be able to pave the way for young girls. It would be the honour of my life to be able to inspire others,” she said.
“The main message here is that I don’t want them to look at me and say, I want to be the next Alex Eala. I want them to look at me and say, ‘Wow, I want to be the first me. I want to make my own path’.”
Alexandra Eala (pictured) reacts to defeating Iga Swiatek. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
(Robert Prange via Getty Images)Tennis world reacts to Alexandra Eala win
Tennis fans couldn’t believe the upset with the six-time champion sent packing in Round 3. She becomes the first Filipino to reach the Round of 16. Eala now plays No.13 seed Italian Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16.