Alex Eala Makes Doubles Comeback with Nadiia Kichenok at Guangzhou Open

Alex Eala is back on the doubles court — and she’s not easing into it quietly. After spending a significant chunk of her recent season focusing on singles development, the Filipina tennis star has made a strategic and stirring return to doubles, teaming up with experienced Ukrainian specialist Nadiia Kichenok at the Guangzhou Open. For Eala — just 19 years old — this partnership is more than just another tournament entry. It’s a recalibration, a chess move, and a re-statement: she’s widening her arsenal, sharpening her instincts, and learning from someone who has been in the trenches far longer.

Kichenok, a WTA doubles mainstay with multiple titles and deep Slam runs under her belt, brings the perfect blend of wisdom and composure. Eala brings energy, explosiveness, and that lefty unpredictability that makes opponents uncomfortable on big points. Together, the pairing already looks like a balance of youth and structure — the type that has historically produced some of the sport’s most unexpected title threats.

Their Guangzhou campaign is less about pressure and more about progression. For Eala, the decision to re-enter doubles isn’t a detour — it’s an investment. Doubles sharpens transition play, instincts at the net, return aggression, and court awareness — all vital for the modern singles player. Even Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff credit doubles stints for sharpening aspects of their game. Eala is walking that same developmental path, but with her own cultural weight of expectation: she plays not just for ranking points, but for a nation that watches every racquet swing.

Early signs are promising. The chemistry between Eala and Kichenok has looked surprisingly natural: fluid hand signals, instant trust on poaches, and shared emotion after tight holds. It doesn’t feel like a trial run — it feels intentional. If they can translate this rhythm into deep runs, Guangzhou could be the start of a new recurring partnership — or at least proof that Eala’s ceiling expands when she joins forces.

Regardless of whether they leave China lifting silverware or absorbing lessons, this doubles comeback is a decisive step in Eala’s evolution. Winning matters — but right now, accumulating tools matters more. And if this is what her comeback looks like at 19, the rest of Asia — and the tennis world — better brace for what’s coming next.