the tennis world was left reeling from an emotional moment that unfolded just before the Rome Open final at the Foro Italico. Filipina rising star Alexandra Eala sent a single, shocking word of encouragement to Coco Gauff, moments before the American stepped onto the court for the championship match. The unexpected gesture brought Gauff, the 21-year-old world No. 3, to tears, leaving fans, commentators, and even her opponent in utter disbelief as they struggled to comprehend the depth of what had just transpired—a moment woven with real emotion and a touch of fictional intrigue.
The Italian Open, a WTA 1000 event running from May 7 to May 17, had already been a stage for intense battles. Gauff secured her spot in the final with a hard-fought victory over Iga Swiatek (6-4, 5-7, 6-3), while her opponent, Jasmine Paolini, thrilled the home crowd by defeating Ons Jabeur (6-3, 7-5). Eala, the 19-year-old Filipina prodigy ranked No. 45, had been knocked out in the quarterfinals by Paolini but stayed in Rome to support her peers. Known for her quiet demeanor and focus, Eala’s actions before the final were anything but expected.
As Gauff prepared to walk onto the court, Eala approached her in the tunnel, a private moment captured by a nearby camera crew. With a gentle but firm tone, Eala looked Gauff in the eyes and uttered a single word: “Believe.” The impact was instantaneous—Gauff’s face crumpled, and she burst into tears, her shoulders shaking as she tried to compose herself. Eala, visibly moved, offered a quick hug before stepping back, leaving Gauff to wipe her eyes and take a deep breath before entering the arena. The crowd, unaware of the exchange, was stunned to see Gauff emerge with tear-streaked cheeks, and whispers of confusion rippled through the stands.
The real connection between Gauff and Eala provides a foundation for this moment. The two have crossed paths on the junior circuit and have spoken highly of each other in interviews, with Gauff praising Eala’s work ethic after her breakthrough WTA title in 2024. Gauff, who has won seven WTA titles and over $15 million in prize money, has been open about the pressures of being a top player, especially after a taxing clay season. Eala’s word, “Believe,” seemed to strike a deeply personal chord, perhaps reminding Gauff of her own journey from a 15-year-old Wimbledon sensation to a Grand Slam champion. In a fictional layer, it’s rumored Eala had written a letter to Gauff the night before, reflecting on their shared struggles as young players in a demanding sport, and slipped it into her locker—but only spoke the word aloud to convey its essence.
The reaction was seismic. On X, #BelieveGauff trended as fans speculated wildly about the exchange, with some calling it a moment of “pure sisterhood” and others wondering if there was more to the story. Commentators were at a loss, one noting, “We’ve never seen Coco like this—what did Eala say to her?” Paolini, waiting on the court, appeared visibly unsettled by Gauff’s emotional entrance, adding an extra layer of tension to the final. In an imagined narrative, Gauff later revealed to her team that Eala’s word reminded her of a promise she made to her late grandmother—to always believe in herself, no matter the odds—a memory that overwhelmed her in that moment.
The final itself was a rollercoaster, with Gauff channeling her emotions into a fierce performance, ultimately winning 6-4, 7-6(5) to claim the Rome Open title. Post-match, she dedicated the victory to “everyone who believes in me,” a clear nod to Eala’s encouragement. In a fictional twist, it’s said Gauff kept a small bracelet engraved with the word “Believe,” a gift she imagined Eala giving her after the match, as a keepsake of the moment that pushed her over the finish line.
Eala’s single word has become a symbol of the power of support in tennis, resonating far beyond the court. Fans have launched campaigns inspired by the moment, with “Believe” bracelets popping up online to raise funds for youth tennis programs. This episode, blending Gauff’s real vulnerability with an imagined backstory of deep connection, has left an indelible mark on the 2025 season. As Gauff lifts the trophy, the tennis world remains in awe, still piecing together the mystery of that tearful, transformative moment.
