Gauff’s bold compliment: Why she calls Filipina Eala a killer on court

Dubai: Alexandra Eala has been a giant-killer this season, taking down some of the biggest names in tennis.

So, when Coco Gauff calls her a “killer” on the doubles court, it’s not just a compliment — it’s a nod to the fearless, game-changing attitude that Eala has brought to the sport. Their unexpected partnership at the Italian Open is already proving to be a deadly combination, with Gauff herself recognising the fierce competitor she’s teamed up with.

But the story of how this dynamic duo came to be is far from traditional. It all began with a simple message: “She DM’d me on Instagram.” Gauff recalled how the 19-year-old Eala slid into her DMs with a straightforward ask — to play doubles together.

Gauff, ever open to new opportunities, responded with a nonchalant “Sure, why not?” And just like that, an unlikely partnership was born. Gauff laughed as she recalled their first interaction: “We didn’t know each other at all, really. I said ‘Hi’ to her for the first time in Madrid. I just hoped she would be nice — and of course, she’s such a nice person.”

Eala’s impressive rise in tennis this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. She’s taken down Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek, and even though she narrowly lost to Jessica Pegula in a thrilling semi-final in Miami, her confidence and drive are evident. After a last-16 exit at the Portugal Open, Eala gave defending Madrid Open champion Swiatek a real scare in the second round.

However, not all of Eala’s clay-court encounters have gone her way. Her first match against 22-year-old Marta Kostyuk ended in a disastrous 6-0, 6-1 loss, with the Filipino crowd — who had turned up in large numbers — left stunned at Grand Stand Arena. But rather than let this defeat define her, Eala chose to take a different approach. She decided to play doubles with Gauff at the Italian Open, looking to gain more experience on clay and continue to develop her game.

That decision has already paid off. The pair breezed through their first-round match, defeating Aleksandra Panova and Fanny Stollar 6-3, 6-1, showcasing a remarkable connection and chemistry on court. For Gauff, who is known for her success in both singles and doubles, partnering with Eala has been an exciting new venture. “She’s a killer in doubles — two junior slams, and probably future ones too,” Gauff said. “I’m super happy to play with her.”

Despite still being in the early stages of their partnership, the duo is already showing signs of brilliance, and fans are eager to see how far they can go together in the tournament. As they move on to face Italians Lisa Pigato and Tyra Grant in the round of 16, it’s clear that this partnership is one built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared love of the game.

Gauff’s ability to adapt and build chemistry with a young, up-and-coming player like Eala is a testament to her versatility and leadership on the court. For Eala, playing alongside Gauff is a chance to learn from one of the best and to build on her growing reputation as one of tennis’ most exciting young talents.

As this unexpected partnership continues to blossom, one thing is certain: Gauff and Eala’s combination of youthful energy and veteran experience could be the recipe for a standout run at the Italian Open and beyond.