Cori “Coco” Gauff made history last week by becoming the youngest qualifier for Wimbledon in the Open Era at 15 years and 122 days old. She did not stop there.
Her young age didn’t stop her from toppling one of the game’s icons on Monday, an icon who first inspired her to play tennis. Gauff defeated 39-year-old Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the first round on Monday in front of a supportive No. 1 court crowd.
“This is the first time I ever cried after winning a match,” Gauff told the BBC as she left the court. “I never thought this would happen. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m literally living my dream. Not many people get to say that.
“I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm during the match. I never played on a court that’s so big. I had to remind myself that the lines are the same size as any other court. When we shook hands, she told me congratulations and to keep going and good luck. I said, ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done’ — I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”
Gauff won the first set in 35 minutes, and held three match points in the second set before Williams forced break point. In the fourth match point, the Delray Beach, Florida native finally sent her one-time idol packing, winning in one hour and 19 minutes.
She was asked afterward, according to the New York Times, how far she could go in the tournament.
“My goal is to win it,” she said.
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Gauff is the 12th youngest player ever in the Wimbledon main draw, but the youngest to come through qualifying. She is the youngest woman to win a main draw match at a grand slam since Anna Kournikova at the 1996 US Open.
Gauff was born in Atlanta, but moved to Florida when she was seven years old to pursue a tennis career, and has been one of women’s tennis brightest prospects since she became the youngest player to reach the girls’ final at the U.S. Open in 2017 at 13-years-old.
“She’s very special, with two major qualities you cannot teach,” Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou said. “She is a great competitor, and she’s a natural athlete. You can build a player physically, but natural athleticism is something you have or you don’t. She’s also a hard worker, which not everyone is. That’s very important to reach the top of the game.”
Perhaps playing against an opponent of Williams’ stature is a new experience for Gauff, but winning is certainly a feeling she’s gotten used to.
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Last year, Gauff won the French Open girls’ title, and won three straight matches in the qualifying tournament at Roehampton last week to secure her spot at Wimbledon.
Gauff faces Magdalena Rybarikova in the second round on Wednesday.
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