“The playlist would be banging”: Alex Eala explains why Coco Gauff would be her ideal travel companion
WTA
Alex Eala has revealed which WTA stars she would choose for different activities away from the tennis court, naming Coco Gauff as her ideal road trip companion and Zeynep Sonmez as her dream doubles partner.
The Filipina made the revelations in a social media video shared by the Ningbo Open, where players were asked to name their preferred partners for activities ranging from doubles to karaoke and road trips.
When asked who she would choose for a road trip, Eala immediately highlighted Gauff's music taste as the deciding factor. The 20-year-old also named Sonmez as the player she would most like to team up with in doubles, pointing to their friendship and the fun they have together.
The answers offer a glimpse into Eala's relationships with fellow players as she prepares for her next challenge at the WTA 500 tournament in Ningbo, where she will face sixth seed Diana Shnaider in the second round on Wednesday, October 21.
Eala names Gauff as her ideal road trip companion
Eala did not hesitate when asked who she would take on a road trip, explaining that Gauff would be her preferred choice because of their shared musical tastes. “Coco has really good music taste. I feel like Coco and I, the playlist would be banging,” Eala said.
The answer gave the American a clear endorsement as a potential travel companion, with Eala suggesting that their music choices would make for an entertaining journey. Rather than focusing on tennis, the Filipina highlighted a personal connection that could make spending time together away from the court enjoyable.
Gauff, a former world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam singles champion, is one of the most prominent players on the WTA Tour. The American won the US Open in 2023 and Roland-Garros in 2025, while Eala continues to establish herself among the tour's rising talents.
Eala also revealed her choices for two other activities. When asked who she would pick as her dream doubles partner, she named Sonmez, explaining that the Turkish player is a strong competitor and someone with whom she enjoys spending time. “Oh, I would pick Zeynep Sonmez. She's a really good tennis player and we have so much fun,” Eala said.
The two have already teamed up on court, most recently playing doubles together at the Wuhan Open. However, their campaign ended in the opening round, where they lost to the Ukrainian pairing of Dayana Yastremska and Anhelina Kalinina.
Sonmez, currently ranked No. 63 in the world, has also won a WTA singles title, lifting her maiden trophy in Merida in 2024. Like Eala, she belongs to a younger group of players seeking to establish themselves on the main tour.
For karaoke, meanwhile, Eala selected Moyuka Uchijima, although she admitted that their singing partnership might not necessarily produce a great duet. “I think I talked about taking Moyuka to karaoke. I feel like I don't know if both of us make a great duet, but yeah, I think it would be fun,” she said.
Eala's final choice was Fran Jones, whom she would pick to make a funny video with.
Back on track in Ningbo! After a straight-sets win to open her Ningbo Open campaign, Alex Eala is ready for more. Here's a little look beyond the baseline. [Video/@WTA] https://t.co/aB8rP6uFxt
— Insight Ningbo (@InsightNingbo) October 20, 2026
Eala prepares for Shnaider test in Ningbo
Away from the light-hearted questions, Eala is preparing for a challenging second-round match at the Ningbo Open. The world No. 20 advanced with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory over France's Diane Parry in the opening round.
The win set up a meeting with Shnaider, the sixth seed and current world No. 13. The 22-year-old Russian also advanced in straight sets, defeating fellow Russian Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 7-6 after a much more demanding contest.
The encounter will be the first meeting between Eala and Shnaider, giving both players a new opponent to figure out. Both are left-handed, adding another detail to a matchup between two players separated by seven places in the rankings.
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A place in the quarterfinals is at stake, with the winner set to face either Iva Jovic or Jasmine Paolini. Both players have previously beaten Eala at a Grand Slam this year, with Jovic defeating her at the US Open and Paolini prevailing at Wimbledon.
Eala will therefore look to build on her strong opening performance as she continues her Ningbo campaign, while Shnaider arrives after surviving a tougher first-round battle against Putintseva.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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