Months before Alex Eala came face-to-face with Venus Williams in double play in the Auckland Open in New Zealand, the fast-rising Filipina netter received some words of encouragement from the American tennis legend.

“Just enjoy yourself. When you’re having fun, things are easy. When you’re not, it’s not as much fun,” said Williams, who won the Wimbledon Championships in 2005, the same year Eala was born, in a post by Tennishead.com.

“You have to put the fun first,” the website added quoting Williams.

These words were published last August when Eala was about to make her US Open debut.

A few days ago, Eala teamed up with Iva Jovic of the United States and they repulsed Elina Svitolina and the 45-year-old Williams, 7-6, 6-1, in Auckland.

Eala had a rousing start in the US Open, stunning then world No. 17 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6.

But she fell in the second round, bowing to Cristina Bucsa of Spain.

Eala went on to win her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title, the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico last September and the women’s singles gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December.

Even after their match at the Auckland Open, Eala savored the moment she shared the court with Williams.

“I think we had a lot of fun and, you know, just to start the year with such a moment like this and sharing the court with two pioneers of the sport, people I looked up to since I was young, so I am so happy to be able to share this moment with you and all of you guys,” Eala said.