A surprise change has emerged ahead of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, with Alexandra Eala and Venus Williams no longer set to play women’s doubles together. The update became clear when the tournament draw was released, despite earlier attention around the prospect of the two joining forces.
The expected partnership had been one of the more talked-about doubles storylines entering the WTA 500 event. Eala’s presence alongside Williams had created interest because of the contrast between a rising player and one of the sport’s most recognizable veterans.
Based on the available report, Williams appears to have been re-paired rather than remaining alongside Eala in the draw. The reason for the change was not detailed in the information available, leaving the late switch as an unexpected development before play begins.
With that pairing now off the board, the focus shifts to how both players fit into the revised doubles field at the Mubadala DC Open. Even before matches start, the altered draw has already become a notable talking point around the tournament.
