At 15 years old, Coco Gauff became the youngest player in Open Era history to qualify for Wimbledon. After she accomplished that feat last week at Roehampton, the American was asked about whom she might like to face in the main draw.
“It would great to share the court with Venus or Serena,” Gauff said of the Williams sisters.
That dream became a reality when the draw ceremony was held last Friday at the All-England Club, where Gauff and Venus were pit against one another in the opening round.
“I literally got my dream draw,” the youngster exclaimed.
But would it become a be-careful-what-you-wish-for situation?
It would not.
Gauff not only got her dream draw, but to say she also capitalized on it would be a gross understatement. The teen sensation stunned Venus 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 19 minutes on Monday afternoon. Displaying maturity well beyond her years, Gauff committed only eight unforced errors while striking 18 winners. She also played clutch, converting all three of her break-point chances and showing no signs of nerves while serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set.
“On the court, I was not thinking about Venus; I was just playing my game,” the Atlanta native and Delray Beach resident commented. “No matter who I play against, I want to win. So that’s what I was just thinking about the whole time. I wasn’t really thinking about who I was facing on the other side of the net.”
“She played so well,” Venus praised. “I actually didn’t play well. It was a contrast of both sides.”
It is true that Venus, 24 years older than Gauff at 39, is not at her best in general and certainly was not in this one. The five-time Wimbledon champion fired fewer winners than her opponent (16) and finished with 26 unforced errors. But the story isn’t what Venus didn’t do. It’s what Gauff did. And it’s what Gauff will do.
“I’m really happy to see her playing great,” Venus said. “I think the sky’s the limit. It really is.”
Gauff, humble but confident, does not disagree. In her post-match press conference she was asked how far she can go in this tournament.
Her reply? “My goal is to win it.”
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