Coco Gauff is currently striving for consistency after a slow start to 2025, but nobody will ever forget how she burst onto the scene.
The scene was set at Wimbledon in 2019 as the veteran Venus Williams was drawn to face American qualifier Coco Gauff in the first round, with the match proving to be a memorable one.
Gauff was just 15 – with most of the media still calling her Cori – but despite coming through three gruelling qualifying matches, she quickly acclimatised to Wimbledon and sent the six-time champion packing.
It proved a very memorable moment for the youngster and one which set her on the path towards Grand Slam glory, which she duly claimed four years later at the US Open in 2023.
What Coco Gauff said to Venus Williams at the net after beating her
Some viewed this as a changing of the guard of sorts. The tutor lost a game on one of the grandest stages in tennis to the young grasshopper who had yet to experience much joy on the professional scene.
There was a warm embrace at the net afterwards. Williams knew that this was the beginning of the end for her at the All England Club and ultimately, she’d only win one more match at Wimbledon.
Afterwards, Gauff shared what she had said to Williams at the net, and it’s safe to say that the legendary player was an idol of the youngster’s when she was growing up as a kid.
She said: “I wasn’t apologising. I was just telling her thank you for everything she’s done for the sport. She’s been an inspiration for many people. I was just really telling her thank you.
“I met her before, but I didnt really have the guts to say anything. I mean now or never.
“I definitely get compared to Venus a lot. Our body shape is kind of the same. We’re both tall. We obviously play similarly.”
What Gauff has said about Serena Williams
It’s not a secret that Gauff looks up to the Williams sisters as he role models and this win was the one that ultimately kick-started her career.
Earlier this week, Williams was awarded a place in Time Magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people and Gauff reacted.
She said: “Yeah, it will definitely be a cool thing. I mean, Serena is on another level. Time did, I think two years ago, part of the list of Women of the Year. That was pretty cool.
“And influential people of all time, I mean, that’s an incredible accomplishment that she definitely deserves. She probably influenced millions, and I’m one of them. Not only in tennis but worldwide, just to be strong women and especially women of colour.
“It’s well-deserved. I wasn’t surprised when I saw that. Her photos looked really good.”
Gauff will now be hoping to find that dominant touch like the Williams sisters had and their relentless approach to the game is currently unrivalled in today’s game, making for a more competitive field.
The win over Venus at Wimbledon will live long in the memory for Gauff and nobody will ever take that away from the teenager, regardless of what she achieves in the future.
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