THE Philippines' best might just get a shot at the greatest of all time in women's tennis.
Filipino netter Alexandra "Alex" Eala could face the returning American great Serena Williams at Wimbledon in London, England as the tournament draw revealed on Friday.
World No. 30 and tournament No. 29 seed Eala will get a chance to face the 23-time Grand Slam champ if she overcomes Mexican and world No. 76 Renata Zarazua in the first round (round of 128).
The 44-year-old Williams, who stepped away from tennis back in 2022, could forge that match against the 21-year-old Eala if she topped the 20-year-old Aussie Maya Joint in the first round of the third major of the year set from June 29 to July 12.
Both matches are scheduled on June 30.
A wildcard entry in this year's Wimbledon, Williams made her Tour return at the HSBC Championships doubles play with world No. 9 Victoria Mboko.
Williams and Mboko defeated Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round, 7-6(2) - 6-2.
Williams' return was cut short after Mboko sustained a knee injury, forcing the duo to withdraw in their second round match.
Having held the No. 1 spot for 186 straight weeks and 319 overall, Williams took the court anew at the Berlin Championships where she teamed up with world No. 11 Karolina Muchova.
Williams and Muchova fell to Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos, 4-6, 4-6, in the first round on June 16.
In a previous interview with Tennis Channel, Eala said she's honored to play in the same space as the returning Williams -- the only player—male or female—to achieve a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles play.
"It's incredible. I did not think that I would be able to experience that in my lifetime to be on the Tour while Serena is competing as well," said Eala.
"Of course, she is the great and such an inspiration to be able to see that first hand and experience the Tour at the same time as hers.
"It's something I will remember for life even if maybe I don't get any interactions with her. It would still be an honor to be in that same space."
If Williams fall, Eala will then secure a rematch against Joint who defeated her at the Eastbourne Open final around this time last year.
Eala just teamed up with Williams' sister and also former world No. 1 Venus at the Bad Homburg Open where they reached the quarterfinals.
The lefty Eala also played in the singles, falling to Elise Mertens anew, 3-6, 3-6, in the first round on June 23.
