KATO-SAMSONOVA/Eala-Williams
6-4, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: We'll just go right to questions, please.
Q. Venus, Alex, just wondering if the two of you can explain how your partnership first came about a few weeks ago on the grass. Who did the asking? I'm assuming whoever was asked said yes immediately. Walk us through a little bit how it came to be.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was targeting Alex (laughing). We had the best time playing. We almost played in DC. Then we had an amazing chance to play here.
I think we played really well. We just fell a little bit short. But we were in there in all those games on those deciding points, and just didn't have the luck today.
Q. Whose idea was the partnership? Who approached who initially?
ALEXANDRA EALA: I heard about it through my team, that Venus was open to be partners. And I just was like, Yes. I was like, Yes, of course (laughing).
Q. Alex, you've had a lot of crazy moments in the past few years on the tour, but has there been one specific moment so far where it's really hit you that, you know, I'm really having a major impact back home in the Philippines?
ALEXANDRA EALA: I mean, it's come very slowly every chance. I mean, you know, the fact that I got to play doubles with Venus is like an amazing highlight to my career.
I remember when we played in Auckland, I was already so excited that I had got to share the court with her. So to be able to partner up with you, Venus, I mean, an amazing chance, and I guess it shows kind of how far I've been able to come.
Q. Venus, I'm wondering what you thought of the atmosphere tonight, and just generally what you think of the excitement Alex is bringing to the sport right now.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was amazing to play under the lights. I think we both thrive in pressure situations.
Alex is a world star. She's just incredible. Besides the fact of her tennis, she's an incredible person, well spoken, and just an impressive young lady. So I like being around those kinds of things (laughing). I think we both lift each other up.
Q. It was so much fun to watch you play, and the points were amazing. Can you try to describe some of your chemistry, and how you felt playing with each other. I'll start with you, Venus.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, we both I think have the same intent, to just go after it, so we match that energy there. I think with more opportunities to practice and play matches together we'll really sync.
It's just very early now, so we're still getting the hang of it. But it's like, you know, I love seeing like those shots fly past me when I'm at the net, and I'm like, Come on.
ALEXANDRA EALA: Yeah, I think when I'm on court with Venus there's a lot I can learn about mentality. When I'm on court with her it also pushes me to kind of match her energy. So of course when you're on court with someone who plays like her, you want to kind of give it your all.
I think I did my best today. Like she said, I think we fell short, but we had some great points. I think we stuck to our game plan.
I guess, just, like, a few details here and there, doubles is also a very kind of quick game, so a few details could change a lot, yeah.
Q. Venus, could you talk a little bit about how you're feeling about your next doubles partner. I think that the tennis world is pretty excited about you and your sister getting back together again. And then maybe, Alex, you can just speak about how it is to get to have watched Serena and Venus play doubles another time here.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think Alex has got to put on her list to play with Serena one day (laughing).
ALEXANDRA EALA: Oh, my God.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Then she can complete the Williams sisters.
But, yeah, I think, you know, we were really looking for, I think the whole world was looking forward to Wimbledon, and it just didn't end up the way we had hoped.
So, hopefully we can get on the court and get back into the swing of things and pick up right where we left off.
ALEXANDRA EALA: For me it's super inspiring. The things that the Williams sisters have done for tennis is incredible. They just keep doing it and keep helping us, especially the women in sports.
I remember when Serena came back at Wimbledon, I also, I went to watch her game from the stands, like the end of the second and a bit of the third.
So just to be able to really experience it live and from a closer vicinity than I did when I was younger, it's a great pleasure for me.
Q. Alex, you obviously got to spend some time with Rafa Nadal, as well as Uncle Toni. Like, what kind of advice have they given you over the years, and what's kind of your relationship, how often are you guys in contact with one another?
ALEXANDRA EALA: I think we're pretty good, I have pretty good relationship with both of them.
Of course Toni, you know, also oversees my progress.
Rafa's been an idol for me since I was younger.
So, yeah, he follows a lot of my matches, and I have a lot of roots going back to the academy, so, yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports