Even with poor weather, an announced crowd of 5,544 showed up to see Gauff's matchGETTY IMAGES
Coco Gauff was a "massive hit" on Saturday at the Delray Beach Open, where she defeated Estela Perez-Somarriba in an exhibition match in front of more than 5,000 fans, according to Chris Nelsen of the PALM BEACH POST. Gauff, who is from Delray Beach, received a "huge ovation from the crowd before the match." The exhibition was the "first-ever women's match" at the annual ATP tournament. An announced crowd of 5,544 "showed up to enjoy the evening," and had the "weather been nicer -- it rained off-and-on Saturday with a gusty wind -- the stadium might have been full." Tournament Dir Mark Baron was "ecstatic" to host Gauff's "'homecoming' match, especially since it came against another rising star with South Florida connections" in Perez-Somarriba, who plays at the Univ. of Miami (PALM BEACH POST, 2/17). Tennis Channel's Tracy Austin noted the upper seating of Delray Beach Tennis Center is usually covered "because they don't have as many people, but they had to take the tarps off because so many people wanted to see Coco." Playing in exhibition matches is "smart" for Gauff, as the WTA's age-eligibility rules limit the number of tournaments in which she can play. Austin: "Put yourself in a position where you're right in front of a big crowd." Gauff is "just peaking right now," as she has a "great personality, great persona." Fans "clearly want to see her." Tennis Channel's Steve Weissman said "potentially more people" attended Gauff's exhibition than will be at the final of this Delray Beach Open ("Tennis Channel Live," Tennis Channel, 2/16).
