Tennis fans are known for their creativity and passion, especially when it comes to supporting their favorite players. But sometimes, that creativity can be a bit… off the mark. That was the case at the 2025 Italian Open, where rising stars Coco Gauff and Alexandra Eala teamed up for doubles and quickly captured the attention of fans—not just for their on-court chemistry, but also for the buzz around a proposed nickname for their new partnership.
During the tournament, the duo played some impressive tennis, combining Eala’s smooth shot-making with Gauff’s power and athleticism to make a formidable team on the red clay of Rome. Their complementary styles and joyful on-court demeanor made them instant fan favorites. Naturally, as with many popular doubles teams, fans were quick to try and brand them with a catchy nickname to mark their debut pairing.
One fan-suggested name—though well-intentioned—missed the mark entirely.
While the proposed nickname hasn’t been explicitly revealed in press interviews, it drew a laugh from both players. In a light-hearted moment that spread quickly across social media, Gauff and Eala jokingly rejected the nickname, with Gauff reportedly shaking her head and Eala quipping, “We might need a rebrand.”
The moment became an instant hit among fans, showing off the pair’s easygoing chemistry and shared sense of humor. While some professional athletes might brush off such suggestions altogether, Gauff and Eala leaned into the fun, reminding fans that tennis doesn’t always have to be serious business.
A Promising Partnership
On the court, the duo proved they were more than just a feel-good story. Gauff, already a Grand Slam champion in singles and a former doubles finalist at Roland Garros, brought experience and firepower to the team. Meanwhile, Eala, the young Filipina star who has steadily climbed the WTA rankings, held her own in high-pressure moments and showed she’s ready to compete at the top level in doubles as well.
Though their run at the Italian Open didn’t culminate in a title, it served as a promising preview of what could come if they decide to make their partnership a more regular fixture on the tour. With both players continuing to grow in their respective careers, there’s potential for this pairing to develop into one of the more exciting doubles combinations on the circuit.
Fans Await a New Name
Despite their rejection of the original nickname, fans haven’t been deterred. The tennis community is already busy brainstorming better monikers that the players might actually approve. Suggestions range from playful puns to creative blends of their names—but it seems both players have set a high bar for what they’ll accept.
In the age of social media, where athletes and fans can interact in real-time, moments like these help build stronger connections between players and their supporters. It also reinforces why Gauff and Eala are so widely admired—not just for their talent, but for their authenticity and willingness to engage with fans in a fun, human way.
As the clay court season continues and both players prepare for the upcoming Grand Slam at Roland Garros, fans will be watching closely—not just to see how far they can go, but also to see if a new, approved nickname might finally emerge.
One thing’s for sure: if Gauff and Eala team up again, they’ll have the support—and the creativity—of the tennis world firmly behind them.