"She hates to lose more than anybody" - Coco Gauff's intensity reminds Chris Eubanks of Serena Williams and Roger Federer
Impressed with Coco Gauff's competitive nature, Chris Eubanks has remarked that the youngster's intensity is at the level of Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Eubanks has known Gauff since she was just six years old and considers himself her elder brother. Both Eubanks and Gauff won their opening matches at the 2023 Miami Open; Eubanks defeated Denis Kudla in the first round while sixth-seed Gauff beat Rebecca Marino 6-4, 6-3 in the second round to kick off their respective campaigns.
Speaking to former player Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel after his match, World No. 119 Eubanks stated that Gauff hated losing more than anyone he had ever played with.
"There's a different level of intensity when I'm going on court with her," Eubanks said. "She hates to lose more than anybody I've ever played with. It doesn't matter whether we're playing a baseline game or a set, if I beat her in anything, there's a little bit of an attitude. We just have that kind of competitive nature."
Eubanks added that Gauff had the same intensity as 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams and 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer.
"Being able to get on court with her, there's always a heightened level of intensity that, honestly, I've felt with Serena, I've felt when I had a chance to train with Roger. I hate to throw those names out there because people are going to try to compare the two," he said.
The 26-year-old stated that playing with Gauff elevates both their levels on the court.
"But there's just a mentality that's just different. When I'm on court with her, is when I'm on court with any other player. So I take pride in it, being able to get out there, train with her, and hopefully, she elevates my level and hopefully, I do the same for her," he added.
Qualifier @chris_eubanks96 joined @PrakashAmritraj after earning his first @MiamiOpen victory!
Big Banks details how he has known @CocoGauff since she was five and also previews his next match vs Coric 🔥 https://t.co/Pp9pKpksGD
The 2022 French Open runner-up, who turned 19 last week, reached the fourth round in Miami last year. Gauff's most recent loss came at the hands of reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Coco Gauff thrilled with the way she played in Miami Open 2023 R2
Coco Gauff edged out Canada's Rebecca Marino 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the 2023 Miami Open and expressed satisfaction with the way she played against a tough opponent.
"Today, it was an up-and-down match, honestly," Gauff said. "A lot of breaks. I mean, I did well in the returning part, considering she's a big server. I'm really happy with how I played. She's not an easy opponent. She makes a lot of big shots, doesn't really give you a lot of rhythm. You kind of just have to hang in there."
Coco Gauff will face 27th-seed Anastasia Potapova of Russia in the third round in what will be their third meeting, with the American leading their head-to-head 2-0.