Alex Eala’s partnership with six-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is getting another chapter.

The 21-year-old Filipino star will once again team up with the 46-year-old Williams in the women’s doubles event of the Washington Open, which begins on 27 July, marking their second tournament together after an encouraging debut at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany last month.

The pair reached the quarterfinals in Bad Homburg before bowing to Britain’s Olivia Nicholls and Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalíková, 3-6, 2-6.

Despite the defeat, Williams had nothing but praise for her young partner.

“The best ride, the best tournament. The best partner!” Williams said.

Eala likewise cherished the opportunity to play alongside one of tennis’ greatest icons.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I’d have the privilege of competing alongside you on court. Immensely grateful to learn from you,” Eala said.

The Washington Open will serve as Eala’s first tournament of the North American hard-court season following her breakthrough campaign at Wimbledon.

Eala made history by becoming the first Filipino singles player to reach the fourth round of the grass-court Grand Slam, a run that also earned her the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) “Star of the Swing” fan vote.

She received 89 percent of the votes, comfortably ahead of Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic, who finished with seven percent.

Although some fans questioned the result of the online poll, Eala said she remains unfazed by outside opinions and is focused solely on her continued development.

“I cannot speak for how people perceive me before or after my Wimbledon run. I do know that I don’t see myself any differently. I’ve experienced all the hard work that I’ve put in. I know who I am,” Eala said.

“It’s very important when you’re in such public settings, in such vulnerable settings to know who you truly are. I’m confident to say that I’m pretty sure I know who I am. I’m still young. I think I have a lot of time to develop my character and my personality.”

Eala will also compete in the singles draw of the WTA 500 tournament, where she is expected to face a stacked field featuring world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States, world No. 10 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, Naomi Osaka of Japan, her Wimbledon tormentor Jasmine Paolini of Italy, Diana Shnaider of Russia, Anna Kalinskaya and Marta Kostyuk.

The prestigious WTA 500 tournament offers another opportunity for the rising Filipina to build momentum ahead of the US Open.

Eala will also take her talents to Toronto as she participates in the Canadian Open, WTA 1000 event, from 1 to 13 August and the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, which runs from 13 to 23 August.