On July 3, 2025, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy and world No. 2, stepped back into the public eye with grace and resilience, just days after a stunning first-round exit at Wimbledon. The two-time Grand Slam champion, fresh off her French Open triumph in June, was spotted at a charity event in London, radiating positivity despite the sting of her recent defeat. The appearance marked a turning point for Gauff, who had been visibly emotional after her 7-6(3), 6-1 loss to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska on Court One, a match that exposed her struggles on grass and left her grappling with disappointment. “I definitely was struggling in the locker room,” Gauff admitted post-match, her voice heavy with emotion. “I don’t like losing. I just feel a little bit disappointed in how I showed up today.”
Gauff’s Wimbledon campaign had begun with high expectations. Coming off her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the American was seen as a favorite to conquer the grass courts of SW19. However, Yastremska, ranked No. 42, delivered a fearless performance, capitalizing on Gauff’s nine double faults and 29 unforced errors to secure the biggest upset of the tournament’s opening rounds. The loss made Gauff only the third woman in the Open Era to win the French Open and exit Wimbledon in the first round, joining Justine Henin (2005) and Francesca Schiavone (2010). Reflecting on the defeat, Gauff pinpointed her mental state and preparation as key factors. “I feel like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” she said, referencing the whirlwind of media obligations and celebrations following her Paris victory. “I didn’t feel like I had enough time to celebrate and also get back into it.”
At the charity event, held to support youth sports initiatives in underprivileged communities, Gauff appeared revitalized, engaging with fans and young athletes with her trademark warmth. Dressed in a sleek, all-white ensemble—a nod to Wimbledon’s iconic dress code—she spoke passionately about the importance of perseverance. “Maybe losing here in the first round isn’t the worst thing in the world,” she said, echoing her post-match sentiments with a newfound optimism. “I have time to reset.” Her words reflected a matured mindset, one shaped by years in the spotlight since her breakout at Wimbledon in 2019, when, at just 15, she stunned Venus Williams in straight sets. That moment ignited “Cocomania,” but grass has since proven to be her toughest surface, with a career win rate of 65% compared to 70% on other surfaces and no quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon.
Gauff’s struggles on grass stem from the surface’s unique demands—low bounces that challenge her topspin-heavy forehand and the need for a more aggressive, low-to-the-ground playing style. Her limited grass-court preparation, with only one competitive match in Berlin after Roland Garros, left her undercooked. “I just feel like the surface, I maybe could have used more matches,” she admitted. “If you go deep in Roland Garros, you’re debating: do I rush and play that week, or do I take time and play the week before? It’s a tricky thing.” Looking ahead, Gauff hinted at a strategic overhaul for 2026, potentially including tournaments like Bad Homburg or Eastbourne to better acclimate to grass. “I think it’s just changing my playing style a little bit, which is difficult,” she said, emphasizing her belief that adjustments could unlock success at Wimbledon. “I have faith that if I can make these changes, I can do well here.”
The event in London showcased Gauff’s ability to bounce back, a trait that has defined her career. From her 2023 US Open triumph to her recent French Open victory, Gauff has proven she can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Her focus now shifts to the hard-court season and the US Open, where she thrives under the New York spotlight. “Obviously I’m not going to dwell on this too long because I want to do well at the US Open,” she said, her determination evident. As she signed autographs and shared laughs with aspiring players, Gauff’s appearance was a reminder of her resilience and star power, signaling that her Wimbledon woes are merely a chapter in a story far from finished.
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