Coco Gauff was not proud of a brand new nickname given to her by followers.
Coco Gauff instructed followers to cease utilizing her new nickname (Picture: Getty)
Coco Gauff needed to plead with tennis followers to cease utilizing a nickname she didn’t like ultimately yr’s Italian Open. Gauff performed her first match at this yr’s Italian Open on Thursday in opposition to Tereza Valentova.
The world No. 4 didn’t enter the doubles attract Rome this yr, nevertheless, regardless of her relative success on the event in 2025. Final yr, the 22-year-old teamed up with Alexandra Eala for the primary time. The younger pairing loved a powerful run to the quarter-finals, gaining consideration for his or her chemistry off the court docket in addition to on it all through the event. Followers even got here up with the nickname ‘Workforce Coachella’ for the duo, given the happy-go-lucky vibe they gave off and the style by which they teamed up.
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However Gauff was not impressed by the tag, urging her followers to decide on a greater nickname. In a joint social media message addressing their supporters, Eala started by saying: “Hello all people, it is Alex and Coco right here. Thanks a lot for all of the help that you have been giving us this week, and hopefully in our subsequent match, a variety of you’ll come out and watch.”
Gauff echoed Eala’s sentiments however added: “Thanks guys for all of the help. Tremendous comfortable to be taking part in with Alex and hope you guys hold supporting us. And we do not like Workforce Coachella, so decide a brand new title.”
Eala continued: “Okay, so one other title. Perhaps one other title. Okay, bye.” Gauff had described her taking part in companion as a ‘killer’ whereas explaining how she determined to affix forces together with her on the Italian Open.
Coco Gauff and Alex Eala have been doubles companions on the Italian Open 2025 (Picture: Getty)
The American stated: “She slid into my DMs and requested me to play. And I used to be like: ‘Certain, why not?’. We actually did not know one another, actually. Earlier than in Madrid, I stated hello to her for the primary time.
“I used to be simply hoping she could be good, and you realize, clearly she’s such a pleasant particular person. And clearly she’s a killer in doubles, two junior Slams and doubtless future ones too. I’m tremendous comfortable to play together with her.”
The Italian Open was the final time they paired up for doubles, having each been centered on their singles careers since. Nonetheless, Gauff and Eala have confronted one another as opponents in 2026, with the previous profitable their assembly on the Dubai Tennis Championships whereas Eala emerged victorious at Indian Wells in March.
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