Alex Eala’s stay at Roland Garros ended not with another match on court, but with a quiet exit from the doubles draw alongside partner Victoria Mboko.
Just a day after her singles campaign concluded in Paris, Eala and the rising Canadian star withdrew from the 2026 French Open doubles tournament before they could even begin their partnership on the Grand Slam stage.
The Filipino-Canadian duo had originally been scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider in the Round of 64 on Wednesday. Instead, Fernandez and Shnaider moved on to face Oksana Selekhmeteva and Anastasia Zakharova, who eventually claimed a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory in the opening round.
No official explanation was released regarding Eala and Mboko’s withdrawal, leaving questions surrounding the decision unanswered.
Still, signs during Mboko’s singles opener hinted that physical management may have become a priority for the 18-year-old Canadian sensation, who continues to build momentum in her breakout campaign.
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Mboko advanced to the second round after cruising past Nikola Bartunkova, 6-1, 6-2, though observers noticed heavy taping on her right shoulder throughout the match.
With a deep singles run still possible, preserving her condition may have taken precedence over continuing in doubles competition.
For Eala, the withdrawal officially closes another learning experience on clay as she transitions toward the next phase of her season.
The Filipina world No. 37 bowed out of the singles tournament on Tuesday after falling to American teenager and close friend Iva Jovic, 6-4, 6-2, in the opening round.
Although her French Open journey ended earlier than hoped, the 21-year-old still exits the clay season with valuable experience gained from competing consistently at the top level, including a strong showing in Rome earlier this month.
Attention now shifts to the grass-court swing, where Eala will look to build momentum again heading into Wimbledon.
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