Coco Gauff has revealed why she thinks Alex Eala’s rise is impacting tennis in a way “we all benefit from” as she described the Filipina as a “great role model.”

Eala soared to her career-high ranking position of world No 20 last week after she won her maiden title at the Washington Open.

Following her triumph at the WTA 500 tournament, Eala took her win streak to seven matches by earning two three-set victories at the Canadian Open.

The 21-year-old’s sensational run ended with a 6-0, 6-4 defeat to world No 14 Belinda Bencic in the fourth round at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto.

Eala was roared on by an army of fans from the Philippines in both Washington DC and Toronto.

Gauff could have met Eala in the quarter-finals in Canada, but she will instead face Bencic.

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In her press conference after her fourth round win against Alina Korneeva in Toronto, Gauff was asked what Eala is bringing to the sport.

“I think, like I said before, like, the demographic that she brings to the sport of tennis is something we all benefit from,” said the 22-year-old American.

“I played her in Dubai and that was, it felt like we were in the Philippines. I thought it was so fun to play in that crowd.

“I played her at Indian Wells, and it felt like it was a little bit more American-leaning that match. I didn’t get to finish it, unfortunately.

“But, yeah, I think what she’s doing for the sport of tennis is great. I think she’s a great role model for people to look up to.

“I said it the last time: What you guys see on camera is who she is off court. That’s something I really respect when someone is who they are at all times.”

The two-time Grand Slam winner also spoke about the depth on the WTA Tour.

“Yeah, I think the depth on the WTA tour is pretty strong. I feel like anybody can win on any day. It’s difficult, it makes every match difficult.

“There’s no one that I think you get in the first round and you’re like, ‘Whew.’ I feel like every match is tough. It’s always like that, but I feel like since I started on tour to now, I really feel the depth is stronger.

“I think it shows with all the stats. And now just the different Slam winners almost every season. And just, yeah, like you said, No 1 ranking up for grabs. Just things like that. But, I don’t know, it makes it interesting.”

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