Coco Gauff, the American tennis prodigy, has been a force on the WTA Tour since her explosive debut at age 15, when she stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2019. Her fearless play and remarkable composure drew widespread acclaim, including a bold prediction from tennis legend John McEnroe, who foresaw her reaching the pinnacle of the sport by age 20. “Gauff’s not only physically mature, but also mentally,” McEnroe said during her breakout Wimbledon run. “I look at the way she plays. If she’s not number one in the world by 20, I will be absolutely shocked.” As Gauff turned 21 in March 2025, that lofty prediction remains unfulfilled, but her journey—marked by two Grand Slam titles and a career-high ranking of No. 2—demonstrates a trajectory that continues to captivate fans and redefine expectations.
McEnroe’s forecast came during Gauff’s electrifying 2019 Wimbledon campaign, where, as a qualifier, she toppled five-time champion Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the first round, a victory that announced her arrival on the global stage. At just 15, her athleticism, powerful groundstrokes, and poise under pressure prompted comparisons to tennis greats. McEnroe, speaking as a commentator, saw her as a future world No. 1, a feat achieved by only five teenagers in WTA history, with Martina Hingis the youngest at 16. Tracy Austin, another former No. 1, echoed the hype, noting, “People have been talking about Coco for years. They have now started to recognize her internationally.” Yet, despite Gauff’s undeniable talent, she reached a career-high of No. 2 in June 2024, falling short of McEnroe’s top-ranking prophecy by age 20.
Gauff’s path has been anything but ordinary. Born in Atlanta and raised in Delray Beach, Florida, she began playing tennis at six, inspired by Serena and Venus Williams. “I wasn’t much of a team person. I loved tennis,” Gauff recalled, reflecting on her early choice to pursue the sport over team activities. Trained by her father, Corey, a former college basketball player, and later at Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy in France, Gauff’s raw talent shone early. At 10, she won the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title, becoming its youngest champion. By 13, she was a junior world No. 1, claiming the 2018 French Open girls’ title. Her 2019 Wimbledon run, where she reached the fourth round, solidified her as a generational talent, though she didn’t ascend to No. 1 as McEnroe predicted.
Instead, Gauff’s achievements by 20 were monumental in their own right. She captured her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, and followed with a second at the 2025 French Open, alongside a doubles title there with Kateřina Siniaková. She also won the 2024 WTA Finals, becoming the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. “I think I achieved a lot this season, and there is no room for disappointment,” Gauff said, reflecting on her 2024 campaign, which included titles in Beijing and Auckland. Her 10 WTA singles titles and nine doubles titles, including a brief stint as world No. 1 in doubles in 2022, underscore her versatility. Yet, the No. 1 singles ranking eluded her, with Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka dominating the top spot.
Gauff’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Her 2024 season saw struggles, including a first-round Wimbledon exit to Dayana Yastremska and a round-of-16 loss at the Paris Olympics. “It’s not the summer that I want,” Gauff admitted after a 2024 US Open defeat to Emma Navarro, though she maintained perspective: “So many people want to be in the fourth round. So many people want to make the Olympics.” McEnroe, reflecting on her 2025 Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa, noted, “Coco Gauff, yeah, there were some chinks in the armour. The serve went off a little. Way too many missed forehands.” Yet, he remained optimistic, adding, “She is not far away. She can definitely improve and she will improve,” signaling his continued belief in her potential.
The pressure of expectations, amplified by McEnroe’s prediction, has been a constant for Gauff. She’s addressed criticism head-on, saying after her 2023 US Open win, “To those who thought [they] were putting water on my fire, you’re really adding gas to it.” Her mental resilience, honed through early struggles with depression—shared publicly in 2020 but never clinically diagnosed—has been key. With coach Brad Gilbert’s guidance, Gauff transformed her game, particularly her forehand, which Laura Robson praised in 2025: “It’s not breaking down like it used to.” As Gauff prepares for the North American hard-court swing, her focus remains on growth, not past predictions. While McEnroe’s vision of a teenage No. 1 didn’t materialize, Gauff’s two majors and relentless drive suggest she’s still on track to redefine tennis greatness.
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