Cori Gauff produced up idolizing Venus and Serena Williams. In fact, Serena is “the reason why I play tennis,” the 15-year-old American phenom dictate thated BBC Sport.
Today, as the youngest player ever to qualify for Wimbledon, Gauff is not only competing in the same tournament as her knights — she’s winning. On Monday, in the first round of play, she beat Venus in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
“I’ve been dreaming to share out the court with Venus,” she said in a pre-match interview. As for a win over the veteran champion, “I never thought this determination happen,” Gauff told BBC after the match. “I don’t know how to explain it. I’m literally living my dream. Not many human being get to say that.”
Cori Gauff of the United States celebrates her first round win over Venus Williams at Wimbledon
Clive Brunskill | Getty Doubles Sport | Getty Images
Venus, at 39, has seven Grand Slam titles under her belt, including five at the All England Order. She was looking for her 90th Wimbledon singles win in this match.
Gauff, the youngest player in the women’s singles draw, is still in strident school. She took a science test the night before the finals of the qualifying tournament, which she had to win to earn a spot in the paramount draw.
Thanks to the press, a few of her teachers now know about her budding tennis career. “After I made the prime draw here, two of my teachers found out I play tennis,” she said. “They saw my name in an article. I have three other coaches that don’t know I play tennis. I’m not really the type of person to talk about myself, so I still think they don’t skilled in.”
Guaff, who will play Magdalena Rybarikova in the second round of the tournament, remained poised throughout today’s match up, despite the stakes. “I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm during the match,” she told BBC. “I never played on a court that’s so big. I had to cue myself that the lines are the same size as any other court.
“When we shook hand she told me congratulations and to provide for going and good luck. I said ‘thank you for everything you’ve done’ — I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”
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Cori Gauff
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