Coco Gauff has highlighted the impact of Alex Eala’s rise, saying the Filipina is bringing something valuable to the sport and calling her a “great role model.”

Eala reached a career-best ranking of world No 20 last week after capturing her first title at the Washington Open. That breakthrough at the WTA 500 event extended her momentum into the Canadian Open, where she opened with two straight three-set victories to push her winning streak to seven matches.

Her run in Toronto ended in the fourth round with a 6-0, 6-4 loss to world No 14 Belinda Bencic. Even so, Eala drew major support in both Washington DC and Toronto, where fans from the Philippines turned out in large numbers.

Gauff was asked about Eala’s influence after her fourth-round victory over Alina Korneeva in Toronto. The 22-year-old American was clear about what the rising player adds to the tour.

“I think, like I said before, like, the demographic that she brings to the sport of tennis is something we all benefit from,” said the 22-year-old American.

“I played her in Dubai and that was, it felt like we were in the Philippines. I thought it was so fun to play in that crowd.

“I played her at Indian Wells, and it felt like it was a little bit more American-leaning that match. I didn’t get to finish it, unfortunately.

“But, yeah, I think what she’s doing for the sport of tennis is great. I think she’s a great role model for people to look up to.

“I said it the last time: What you guys see on camera is who she is off court. That’s something I really respect when someone is who they are at all times.”

Gauff also commented on the overall strength of the WTA Tour, saying the level of competition has made every match difficult and that the depth has increased since she began on tour. She pointed to the steady number of different Grand Slam winners and the No 1 ranking being up for grabs as signs of that strength.

Alex Eala’s rapid climb has turned her from an intriguing prospect into a genuine force in women’s tennis. In just a few weeks, she has captured attention around the sport and assembled a global following that looks set to keep growing.

Her run to the Wimbledon last 16, highlighted by a win over defending champion Iga Swiatek, was followed last week by her first WTA Tour title in Washington. Those results have put her firmly in the conversation for the game’s biggest prizes, and they also point toward a major commercial surge.

One likely beneficiary is Nike, with whom Eala already has a clothing deal. That agreement appears poised for renewal on better terms, especially as her profile continues to rise. Her link with the Rafael Nadal Academy may also have helped establish that relationship, given the company’s long association with the player whose name is attached to her training base.

The commercial comparison to Emma Raducanu is hard to avoid. After her US Open triumph five years ago, Raducanu attracted a wave of sponsorships, helped by her appeal across multiple markets. Eala now has a chance to surpass that model, with her popularity in the Philippines expected to extend well beyond her home country.

She already holds deals with Globe Telecom, Babolat, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Milo Philippines and Locally Juice, and has recently been added by Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program of Marriott International and Official Hotel Partner of the Australian Open. That addition suggests companies are moving quickly to secure a place in her growing story.

Raducanu’s Uniqlo deal, reported at around $3.5m a year, offers a useful benchmark. Eala could move beyond that if she renews with Nike, and she may already command more than Raducanu in major sponsorship talks.

Coco Gauff’s estimated $23 million in annual off-court earnings remains the standard at the top of the market, but Eala may be building toward that level. A Grand Slam title may be needed to reach the very summit, yet even now she is positioned for life-changing endorsement opportunities and could be set to earn $10m from this point forward.

Novak Djokovic is long past measuring his career in financial terms, yet the player who leads the men’s prize money standings may still reach a notable milestone in the coming weeks.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has earned $194,656,816 in career prize money. That total reflects a career defined by extraordinary success, including more weeks at No 1 than any other player and more ATP Masters 1000 titles than anyone else.

Behind him on the all-time earnings list are Rafael Nadal on $134,946,100 and Roger Federer on $130,594,339. Those figures are expected to keep rising across the sport as prize money continues to increase, and the US Open is set to announce a larger top prize after last year’s record $5m award to the men’s and women’s champions in New York.

For the moment, though, Djokovic remains the earnings leader, and he has a realistic chance to become the first player in tennis history to pass $200m in prize money if his next few weeks on US hard courts go well.

He will be among the favourites at the Cincinnati Masters after world No 1 Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew because of injury. A title there would bring him $1,151,380. If he then went on to win the US Open a couple of weeks later, he would move beyond the $200m mark.

Djokovic’s income has not come only from competition. Long-running sponsorship arrangements with Head, Lacoste, Asics and other companies have added substantially to his wealth.

When asked about money in an interview with Piers Morgan last year, Djokovic said it has never been his main motivation.

“You know, we live in a very materialistic society these days. It’s nothing against you but I am not like that,” he stated in the interview.

“I don’t want to give all the information about what I am worth and what my investments are, it’s none of their business. Why should I disclose that? For what reason? There are things that are disclosed like prize money and people know about or contracts, but other things, no.

“Money is important. It’s very important and it does bring security, no doubt about it. It’s one of the driving forces in society today, you cannot neglect the importance of money.

“But if money is the only thing you are thinking about, in my experience as an athlete, for me it’s more of a meritocracy model – if I win a tournament, I get rewarded with sponsorship deals.

“But it’s about the mentality and the brand you want to create around yourself. I don’t like to talk about this but I did refuse a lot of the big brands and big paycheques in my career, because I cannot represent something I do not believe in. I have always tried to play the long game.”