Coco Gauff employed a classic strategy to handle an enthusiastic crowd at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday, most of whom were there to back Gauff’s opponent, Alexandra Eala.
“I had a similar match at the French Open last year, so I brought that mindset today,” Gauff explained on court after her 6-0, 6-2 victory over Eala. “Whenever you all cheered for Alex, I simply pretended it was for me. I think that really helped!”
“If you can’t beat ‘em, you’ve got to join them,” the American added with a laugh.
This clever use of reverse psychology has become a popular method for dealing with challenging crowds over the years, notably demonstrated by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who often competed against fan favorites like Roger Federer.
“I have to say, it’s fantastic to be on a crowded court,” said Gauff, who earlier lauded Eala’s burgeoning fanbase as “great for tennis” before their Dubai quarterfinal. “I’ve played this tournament for many years, and seeing the stadium full truly means a lot.”