Wimbledon 2019: Who is Cori Gauff? 15-year-old sensation who beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in first round

Williams had two Wimbledon singles titles to her name before Gauff was even born

What a week it’s been for 15-year-old Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff. After becoming the youngest player in the professional era to survive the Wimbledon qualifying draw, the American has now stunned her hero Venus Williams in the opening round of the Championships.

After thrashing Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-1 6-1 on Thursday to seal her place in next week’s main draw, the youngster said it would be her “dream” to play one of the Williams sisters at Wimbledon.

Now, her dream has been made reality. Venus Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam winner, having won at Wimbledon five times between 2000 and 2008. At 39 years of age, Venus turned professional in 1994 – 10 whole years before Gauff was born.

Gauff, who won the French Open junior title in 2018, was given a wildcard into the Wimbledon qualifying event and took advantage in spectacular fashion. She beat Williams in straight sets to reach the second round.

The American, who is combining her practice sessions with her schoolwork, looked like a seasoned grasscourt player throughout the Wimbledon qualifying.

“I knew I was the underdog and I was just enjoying it,” Gauff said after her victory over Minnen. “Serena is the reason why I play tennis and why my dad decided to get me a racket.

“Obviously, I don’t care who I play I’m just happy to be in the draw but I would love to share the court with Serena. If I played any one of them [the Williams sisters] it would be a dream come true.”

“I had no expectations really. I feel really blessed. My parents never put any limitations on my goals and told my to shoot as high as I can.”

Gauff, born in March 2004, started playing tennis at 7. After growing up in Atlanta, she later moved to Florida to better her blossoming talents.

The American made her ITF debut in May 2018 as a qualifier into the $25,000 event at Osprey, where she won her first professional match. She’s currently ranked 301 in the world.