Coco Gauff Reveals Why She Loves Facing Alexandra Eala: “It Makes Me Feel Like I’m Playing at World Cup”

Alexandra Eala has done one thing to tennis: she has brought a new energetic fanbase, which Coco Gauff thinks is great for the sport. Eala has reignited Filipino fans’ love for tennis after her run to the semifinals in last year’s Miami Open.

Then this year, after her win over defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon, she scripted history by becoming the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Next at the Citi Open, the 21-year-old beat home favorite Jessica Pegula, becoming the first player from her country to clinch a tour-level title. Wherever Eala goes, the Filipino fans follow. And according to Gauff, these lively fans create a World Cup-like atmosphere.

I think it’s great for the sport and for all the players. She’s obviously the one leading the movement in that region, but I think it’s opening people’s eyes. After my match in Dubai, a lot of Filipinos came out to support me just because of my post-match comments about Alex. I thought that was really special.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference at the Canadian Open

Gauff has met Eala twice, beating her in the quarterfinals of this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships. Then in the Indian Wells third round, Eala received the walkover.

Gauff feels she has also received the support of the Filipino fans because she spoke glowingly of their countrywoman.

I mean, she’s an easy person to be a fan of too. I don’t know, I love playing in environments like that. I had so much fun in Dubai, and would definitely like to play in another environment against her. Because even if they’re not rooting for you, it’s still like so fun and makes me feel like you’re playing at a, I don’t know, like a basketball, like the World Cup a little bit, and I think that’s cool.

Coco Gauff added

Gauff has also played doubles alongside Eala in last year’s Italian Open. They reached the quarterfinal and lost to the Italian pair of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. Eala is also playing in Toronto, where, after beating Alycia Parks, she has scheduled her third-round match against Caty McNally.

Coco Gauff on WTA’s gender testing policy

Coco Gauff, in her opening-round match in Toronto, eliminated countrywoman Kayla Day, following which, she was asked about WTA’s new eligibility policy at the press conference. The WTA has mandated a once-in-a-lifetime gender test for the SRY gene, which is associated with male biological development, to “preserve the integrity” of women’s tennis.

Transgender players were allowed to compete before. But at present, there’s no known transgender athlete in professional tennis.

Gauff understands that the topic is pretty complex. And even though she has backed the WTA’s rule, she also criticized those who are using this policy to create “animosity towards the trans community.“

I guess, kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women’s sports, but also do not like the attack that it is creating…people who don’t really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community. So I’m not really a big fan of that either.

Gauff will next be facing Maria Sakkari in the third round. She leads 6-5 in the head-to-head matchups against the Greek ace. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is a three-time quarterfinalist at the Canadian Open but lost in the fourth round last year.

Gauff has played two finals this season, in Miami and Rome, losing both to Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina, respectively. She last won a title at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

Also read: Andrea Petkovic Explains Why Alexandra Eala Reminds Her of Jannik Sinner: “She’s So Emotionally Stable”