London: Cori Gauff, just 15, tackles 39-year-old Venus Williams in a Wimbledon generational clash Monday with the history-making teenager counting Roger Federer as one of her cheerleaders.
Gauff, ranked at 313 and popularly known as ‘Coco’, is the youngest player ever to have qualified for Wimbledon. When she was born in 2004, five-time Wimbledon champion Venus had already won four Slams.
“I’m super happy for her,” said Federer, whose management company Team8 handles the youngster’s affairs. “Everyone was waiting to see what the draw was like. I think that’s fascinating, that she plays Venus.
“I think it’s a great storyline. It will be a great, wonderful experience for Coco and Venus. Coco is a nice girl, works really hard. I think she’s obviously got a wonderful future ahead of her.”
Growing up in Georgia, Gauff’s background wasn’t in tennis. Her father Corey played university basketball while mother Candi was a gymnast and athlete.
“I like tennis because you can only blame yourself and you can only control yourself,” Gauff told wtatour.com “Sometimes when I was on the basketball court I’d be trying to control other people. I like the individual aspect – I like doubles too, but just one person on my team is enough.”
Gauff needed a wild card to play in qualifying for Wimbledon. In a telling reminder of her tender years, she was juggling her high school studies in the evening while trying to make the main draw.
“She’s an exciting young player, and she’s so cool,” said Venus’s sister Serena of Gauff. “She’s a great girl. It’s a great moment for her and for Venus.”
Gauff’s fellow American Amanda Anisimova, 17, reached the Roland Garros semifinals last month. In the process, she became the youngest player to make the last-four at a Slam for 12 years.
Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, was the last teenager to win a Slam when she lifted the US Open trophy in 2006.
For Gauff, her time for such success may not be imminent, but there are plenty of other teen trailblazers for her to follow in the history of the sport.
Martina Hingis was just 16 years and 117 days when she won the 1997 Australian Open before going on to win four more Slams.
Monica Seles was 16 years and 189 days when she claimed the 1990 French Open while Tracy Austin was 16 years and 270 days old when she was crowned US Open winner in 1979.
