Alex Eala already knows who she wants beside her on a road trip—and apparently, Coco Gauff’s qualifications include excellent taste in music.
In a playful question-and-answer video shared during the Ningbo Open, the Filipina tennis standout picked Gauff as her ideal travel companion, revealing a friendship built on more than their shared life on the professional circuit.
“Coco has really good music taste. I feel like Coco and I, the playlist would be banging,” Eala said.
It was a small revelation with plenty of kikay charm. Away from scoreboards and tournament draws, Eala’s answer sounded like any young woman choosing the friend who could turn a long drive into a sing-along session.
And judging by their previous social media moment together, the pair already know how to have fun with a soundtrack.
During a break between the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, Eala posted a TikTok featuring herself and Gauff holding sweet treats while lip-syncing to Taylor Swift’s “End Game.” Her caption, “Rush hour?”, nodded to the action-comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
Gauff joined the joke in the comments, responding with “Goated caption.”
The exchange showed how much more relaxed they had become around each other. Eala later explained that she had noticed the movie comparison when they first partnered in Rome, but initially felt unsure about making the joke.
As their friendship developed, so did her confidence to tease and laugh with Gauff. That comfort gave their TikTok its appeal—the easy silliness of friends enjoying a little downtime together.
Their connection started with Eala making the first move.
Before the 2025 Italian Open, she sent Gauff an Instagram message asking whether they could team up in doubles. The American accepted, and their partnership produced two victories before they fell to eventual champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.
For Eala, the experience offered both companionship and valuable lessons. She observed Gauff’s preparation, warm-up routine, and approach to her work while getting to know her beyond her reputation as a tennis champion.
The road trip remains hypothetical. Still, Eala’s choice offers a charming picture of their friendship today—comfortable enough for jokes, shared videos, and an enthusiastic endorsement of Gauff’s playlist.
For now, Eala’s immediate journey runs through the Ningbo draw. Her 6–3, 6–1 opening victory over Diane Parry earned her a second-round clash with world No. 13 Diana Shnaider for a quarterfinal berth.
But whenever that dream drive happens, choosing the music should be the easiest part.
