Sunday 23 / June / 2024
Wimbledon: A 15-year-old tennis player at Wimbledon produced what is probably the biggest shock of the tournament so far as she stunned veteran star Venus Williams.
Playing against her fellow American, Gauff became the youngest player since 1991 to win in the first round of the ladies’ singles tournament, beating Williams 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets, in the presence of a stunned audience, which included her immensely proud parents.
The teenager was quite clearly and understandably overcome with emotion, and knelt against her racquet on the side of the court to let the moment sink in, as wave after wave of a much-deserved standing ovation washed over her. She then momentarily buried her face in her towel before standing to return the applause that was being lavished over her.
But the teen didn’t let the success get to her head: one of her idols is the 39-year-old Venus, who has won five Wimbledon and two US Open singles titles.
“She [Venus Williams] said congratulations,” admitted Gauff after her win. “I told her thank you for everything that you did. I wouldn’t be here without you. I always wanted to tell her that.”
Gauff was a wildcard entry into the Wimbledon main draw, and she was mindful to thank the organisers for giving her this chance. “Wimbledon, thank you for the wildcard,” she said.
The International Tennis Federation also hailed Coco’s success, saying, “History at Wimbledon. Coco Gauff becomes the youngest player at 15 years and 122 days in the Open Era to reach the main draw via qualifying.”
She had beaten Aliona Bolsova 6-3, 6-4 to get here, with the organisers confirming, “Age is just a number. 15-year-old American Coco Gauff beats the No.1 seed Aliona Bolsova 6-3, 6-4 to progress to the second round of Wimbledon Qualifying.”
Coco – whose real name is Cori Gauff, sees this latest success come just a few weeks after taking part at Roland Garros, a year after she won the Junior Grand Slam Title in 2018. This time around, she made it through the first round of women’s senior qualifying, beating Ankita Raina 6-4, 6-4, before falling to Kaja Juvan 6-3, 6-3.
“Chapeau, Coco Gauff,” said the French Open organisers. “The youngest player in the tournament and our junior champion, Cori Gauff, 15, won her first game.”
She was also the youngest Wimbledon qualifier in the Open Era. “Aged 15 years and 122 days, America’s Coco Gauff becomes the youngest #Wimbledon qualifier in the Open Era after beating Greet Minnen 6-1, 6-1,” said Wimbledon’s organisers.
This success, however, is just the latest of many for Gauff, who in 2017 was a US Open Junior Finalist, before become the 2018 Roland Garros Junior Champion.
