Gauff tips hat off to crowd-drawer Eala

MANILA, Philippines — World No. 4 tennister Coco Gauff lauded Alex Eala for “bringing a new demographic” to tennis, as the two faced off against each other before a rowdy crowd in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Gauff defeated Eala in dominating fashion, 6-0, 6-2, in their quarterfinal matchup late Thursday evening (Manila time).

But despite the score showing Eala being overpowered, the crowd did not make it seem that way.

Chants of “Let’s go Alex!” and “A-lex! A-lex!” showered center court, as they tried to rally the Filipina to a comeback victory that did not come.

After the match, Gauff voiced appreciation to how the crowd cheered.

“Yeah, thank you guys for coming out here, and I know you're mostly supporting Alex, but I have to say it is great to be on a crowded court,” she said during the post-match interview.

“I played this tournament for many years and to see the stadium full that means a lot.”

Gauff, easily one of the most popular tennis players in the world, said that she also relished the cheers for her opponent.

“I’d like to thank Alex for bringing a new demographic to the sport. I really appreciate it. I think it's great. I know sometimes it's tough when you're playing against a home crowd, but I think that it's great for the sport,” the 21-year-old American stressed.

“So keep being enthusiastic and keep rooting for your player.”

Gauff added that when the crowd cheered for Eala, she just imagined that they are cheering her name.

“Honestly, I had a similar match at French Open last year, so I brought that mindset today of just trying to whenever you guys were cheering for Alex I was pretending that it was my name and I think it helped me a lot,” she said.

“If you can't beat them, you got to join them.”

Eala is one of the fastest rising stars in tennis today.

After her miracle run in the Miami Open last year, she has competed against the best of the best, taking down numerous top 20 players.

In Dubai, she added former tournament champion Jasmine Paolini to her list after she defeated the Italian, 6-1, 7-6(5), in the Round of 32.

And in every tournament she plays in, the Filipina brings crowds so rowdy that the umpire usually reminds the fans not to cheer during play.

Gauff will take on Elina Svitolina in the semifinal of the Dubai tourney.

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