Coco Gauff was within touching distance of facing Alexandra Eala next in the US Open, which would have pitted the WTA Tour’s two biggest superstars against one another.
It promised to be a blockbuster clash, following on from the Filipina’s sensational match with Iva Jovic. In the end, it was won by the teenage sensation, who had to dig so deep and summon indescribable strength to secure victory.
Speaking before that match had even concluded, the two-time Grand Slam champion was being asked for her thoughts on Alexandra Eala, as a potential fourth-round opponent.
And, whilst she fortunately didn’t preview a hypothetical match-up, she did discuss her relationship with the youngster, also praising her ability to deal with such huge pressure.
Coco Gauff shares what her relationship with Alex Eala is really like
Asked if she can empathise with what Eala has to deal with, shouldering the sporting burden of an entire nation, Coco Gauff admitted: “I can’t empathise at all, because she’s, like, the first Filipino player to break a lot of the barriers that she’s done, especially, like, on the female side.
“And when you speak of athletes from the Philippines, I mean, she’s doing similar things to what Manny Pacquiao was doing for her country.”
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All Gauff could do is relate this to her own experience, before touching on their blossoming friendship: “I’m lucky to be from the U.S., where we had a lot of icons to look up to and people who’ve already broken down doors for me to be here where I am, so I can’t really empathise on that aspect.
“I think the only way I can is maybe just, like, the hype of everybody expecting you to win every single match. I guess I can empathise on that standpoint, but I definitely think she probably has more pressure or, well, I don’t know, from the outside looking in, has more pressure, and as far as our relationship, Alex and I are friends.
“Her family just reminds me so much of mine. Like, she has a brother, and both her parents are usually with her at tournaments, and she’s just such a cool, like, nice girl, and someone I would like to get to know even more.
“We just went for dinner for the first time, actually, in Toronto, and I got to know her a little bit more. Then, and obviously, we played doubles together. But I have a lot of respect for her from what she’s doing. But yeah, I can’t really empathise. I feel like she has more pressure than I do.”
Gauff has praised Eala’s fanbase at length in the past. She will now face the full might of it on home turf.
Coco Gauff admits she’s happier now on tour than she’s ever been because of players like Alex Eala
Later on in that same press conference, just after she had discussed this friendship with Eala, Gauff explained how these new friendships with fellow WTA youngsters have helped create an environment that she can thrive in.
The 23-year-old admitted: “Yeah, it feels so much better.
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“Honestly, I felt really lonely in the early years I was on tour. I was like, wait, like, people were nice, but I was just way too young to go out, like, a 20-year-old doesn’t want to go out with a 15-year-old. I mean, me at 22, I don’t want to do that now, either, so I completely understand.
“So, it just feels good, like, socially, just having people I can text, and if you want to hang out, go to dinner, do something, and not feel awkward.
“I feel much happier now, I think, at this phase on tour, just having people around my age, being successful, and we can all share the ups and downs together, so it’s definitely something I appreciate now, more, and I just do feel generally, like, happier on tour.”
