As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships unfold on the iconic grass courts of the All England Club, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis prodigy, found herself swept up in a wave of nostalgia and emotion. On the eve of her first-round match on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a poignant moment from her 2019 Wimbledon debut resurfaced during an interview, bringing tears to her eyes. The memory of her parents, Corey and Candi Gauff, standing and applauding her historic victory over Venus Williams six years ago remains a touchstone in her remarkable journey, a testament to the unwavering support that has fueled her rise to tennis stardom.
At just 15, Gauff announced herself to the world in 2019 by defeating her idol, Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, in a stunning 6-4, 6-4 upset on No. 1 Court. The victory, one of the most significant of her career, was more than a sporting triumph—it was a deeply personal milestone. As Gauff clinched the match, her parents rose in the stands, their prolonged applause echoing their pride and joy. “I know it is emotional. Yeah, they’re super proud,” Gauff said, her voice breaking as she watched the clip during her recent interview. “Oh my god, I’ve seen this video so many times, but it’s for some reason, I guess, watching it here at Wimbledon, just like, it’s crazy.” The moment, replayed countless times on social media, struck a new chord in the hallowed setting of Wimbledon, where her journey began.
Gauff’s emotional reaction was rare for the typically composed star, who admitted, “I’m not usually the person that gets too emotional watching myself.” She noted that only her 2023 US Open victory had previously elicited such feelings, but the Wimbledon memory hit differently. “I’ve never cried at it until now,” she said, reflecting on the significance of seeing her parents’ pride in that defining moment. The 2019 win over Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, was a torch-passing moment, with Gauff, the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon’s main draw in the Open Era, signaling her arrival as a force in women’s tennis.
Now, six years later, Gauff returns to Wimbledon as a two-time Grand Slam champion, having claimed the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final. Her grass-court record, however, remains a work in progress, with a 21-11 career win rate and no Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance to date. Despite a recent loss to Xinyu Wang in Berlin, Gauff expressed confidence ahead of her opening match against Dayana Yastremska. “Mentally, I’m really excited. Every time I come on these grounds, I get so inspired,” she said, highlighting the unique energy of Wimbledon. “Physically, I played a tournament last week, and it wasn’t so great, and now I’m really just trying to focus on the fundamentals of playing on grass.”
Gauff’s 2019 Wimbledon run, which saw her reach the fourth round before falling to eventual champion Simona Halep, was a breakout moment that captivated the tennis world. Her parents’ sacrifices—Corey quitting his job to coach her and Candi overseeing her homeschooling—laid the foundation for her success. “They believed in me from the beginning,” Gauff said, crediting their support for helping her navigate the pressures of early fame. Her father’s emotional reaction in 2019, a primal scream of joy, and her mother’s steadfast presence underscored their role in her journey. “It was pure joy,” Candi recalled of that moment, a sentiment that still resonates.
The resurfaced memory also highlighted Gauff’s deep connection to Venus and Serena Williams, whom she has long idolized. “Serena Williams has always been my idol…and Venus,” she once said, noting their influence on her decision to pick up a racket. Her respectful post-match exchange with Venus in 2019—“I was just telling her thank you for everything she’s done for the sport”—reflected her humility. That victory, coupled with her parents’ emotional support, remains a cornerstone of her career, even as she chases her first Wimbledon title.
As Gauff prepares for her 2025 campaign, the emotional weight of her 2019 debut fuels her drive. Her recent French Open triumph and a career-high No. 2 ranking signal her readiness to conquer grass, despite its challenges. “You need to play a little bit lower and more aggressive than the clay season,” she explained, acknowledging the tactical shift required. With her parents’ unwavering support and a matured perspective on her game, Gauff stands poised to write the next chapter of her Wimbledon story, one that began with tears of joy and continues with relentless ambition.
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