As the grass courts of Wimbledon beckon, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis phenom, is leaving no stone unturned in her quest to conquer the All England Club. Following her recent defeat to Wang Xinyu at the Berlin Tennis Open on June 18, 2025, Gauff has transformed her Wimbledon training camp into a vibrant blend of intense drills and lighthearted team challenges. Known for her fierce competitiveness and infectious positivity, the world No. 2 is keeping spirits high with playful antics, including quirky contests like ball-rolling races and duck walk showdowns, ensuring her team—coaches Brad Gilbert and Richard Woodroof among them—stays motivated for the Grand Slam, set to run from June 30 to July 13, 2025.
Gauff’s journey to Wimbledon comes on the heels of a historic French Open triumph on June 7, where she outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 final to claim her second Grand Slam title. The victory, her first on clay, marked her as the first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. “I think the main piece of advice everyone’s told me is to take it in and soak it in, and then when it’s time to get back to work, get back to work,” Gauff said after her Paris win, a mindset she’s now applying to her grass-court preparations. Despite the Berlin setback, where she fell 6-4, 6-3 to Wang, Gauff remains undeterred, channeling her energy into a training regimen that balances discipline with fun.
The Delray Beach native’s innovative approach to training has sparked a buzz among fans and teammates alike. During a recent session, Gauff organized a series of friendly competitions, pitting her coaches and support staff against each other in playful challenges. From rolling tennis balls across the court to mastering the awkward yet hilarious duck walk, these activities have fostered a sense of camaraderie and resilience. “It’s about keeping the vibes high,” Gauff shared in a lighthearted moment, emphasizing how these contests help her team stay “energized for the challenges ahead.” Her ability to blend rigor with laughter reflects her maturity, honed through years of navigating the WTA Tour’s pressures since her breakout at age 15.
Gauff’s bond with her team, particularly Gilbert, a former top-10 player, and Woodroof, her long-time hitting partner, is a cornerstone of her success. Their dynamic was on full display during these training antics, with Gilbert jokingly “punished” for losing a duck walk race by running extra sprints, much to Gauff’s amusement. This playful rivalry underscores the trust and chemistry that have propelled Gauff to 10 career singles titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals and 2023 US Open. Her coaches’ guidance has been crucial as she adapts to grass, a surface where she’s yet to advance past the fourth round at Wimbledon. “I’m going to approach it a lot more freer,” Gauff said of her 2025 Wimbledon mindset, buoyed by the confidence of her French Open win.
The tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for Gauff’s Wimbledon campaign. Former pros like Chris Evert and Tracy Austin have tipped her for success, with Evert predicting, “She has so many [major titles] ahead of her.” Austin, however, noted Gauff’s extreme forehand grip as a grass-court challenge, suggesting she “go a little bit bigger on her serve” and “flatten out” her forehand to swing more freely. Gauff’s 11-5 Wimbledon record, including her iconic 2019 debut where she stunned Venus Williams, fuels optimism that 2025 could be her year to break through.
As Gauff prepares to don her custom New Balance CG2 shoes, featuring Wimbledon’s signature green accents, she carries the weight of expectations and the support of a nation. Her lighthearted training approach, coupled with her relentless drive, positions her as a formidable contender. Whether she’s rallying her team with a duck walk or rallying on Centre Court, Gauff’s journey promises to captivate fans worldwide.
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