{
  "id": 5970268,
  "title": "“I’m Lucky To Be From US” – Coco Gauff Explains Why She ‘Can’t Empathize’ With Alex Eala Despite Hailing Filipina",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/im-lucky-to-be-from-us-coco-gauff-explains-why-she-cant-empathize",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T12:02:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/m-lucky-us-coco-gauff-120237832.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Coco Gauff, a U.S. tennis player, expressed her inability to empathize with fellow Filipino athlete Alexandra Eala, despite sharing a similar nationality. Gauff praised Eala for breaking barriers in Filipino tennis, comparing her efforts to those of Manny Pacquiao, a former heavyweight boxer who had put the Philippines on the global sports map. However, when asked about handling the pressure Eala faced to carry her nation's hopes, Gauff stated she couldn't empathize with Eala's pressure because she benefited from numerous tennis role models in the U.S. She likened the pressure Eala faces to the expectation of winning every single match, but acknowledged that Eala likely has more pressure from the outside looking in. Gauff also mentioned that Eala's family is always at her tournaments, showing their support, and that she and Eala are friends. Eala's third-round match at the US Open ended with a loss to home favorite Iva Jovic, and Gauff is set to face Jovic in the Round of 16 on Monday.",
  "summary": "After her third-round victory over Cristina Bucsa, Coco Gauff was asked about the Philippines’ rising star Alexandra Eala and her potential influence on her home country. Gauff praised Eala, noting that she has broken many barriers as a Filipino player, and compared her efforts to those of former heavyweight boxer Manny Pacquiao, who put the Philippines on the global sports map.",
  "key_points": [
    "Coco Gauff, U.S. tennis player, can't empathize with Filipina Alexandra Eala.",
    "Gauff praises Eala's barrier-breaking efforts, comparing to Manny Pacquiao.",
    "Gauff benefited from U.S. tennis role models, unlike Eala."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}