Coco Gauff, currently ranked World number four in women’s tennis, has said she cannot fully understand the pressure experienced by Filipino player Alexandra Eala, who recently made history by becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title. Eala, who rose to 18th in the world rankings after her victory, lost in the third round of the US Open to Iva Jovic but expressed deep gratitude for the support from her home country. Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, acknowledged that Eala faces a unique kind of pressure because she is the first Filipino woman to achieve such success in tennis. Gauff compared Eala’s impact on the Philippines to that of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, whose global fame has made him a national icon. While Gauff said she can’t fully relate to the weight of being the first for her country, she did say she understands the pressure of being expected to perform at the highest level in every match. Eala made history last year by becoming the first Filipino player to win a match during the Open era at the US Open, a significant milestone in the sport. This year, she has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third round at the US Open, showcasing her growing presence on the international stage. Her performance at Wimbledon earned her recognition from Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos, who honored her at Malacanang Palace in Manila. Eala has continued to make waves in the tennis world, winning her second WTA 125 singles title in Birmingham in June and securing her first WTA 500 title at the Washington Open. Her success has led to a noticeable increase in Filipino fans and national flags at her matches, reflecting the pride her achievements have inspired across the country.