As Wimbledon 2025 dawns on June 30, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American sensation who has emerged as a formidable contender. Fresh off her second Grand Slam triumph at the 2025 French Open, where she outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 final, Gauff is carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see her conquer the grass courts of the All England Club. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, a four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, has thrown his support behind Gauff, expressing his desire to see her lift the Venus Rosewater Dish. “I’d love to see her win Wimbledon,” Henman declared, captivated by her journey from a teenage prodigy to a proven champion. With her explosive athleticism, unyielding competitive spirit, and growing grass court prowess, Gauff is poised to make a deep run at SW19.
Gauff’s ascent began in 2019 when, at just 15, she stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon as a qualifier. “I remember when Coco played as a 15-year-old because she was given a wildcard into qualifying, she qualified and then beat Venus Williams first round,” Henman recalled, marveling at her precocious talent. That breakout performance, dubbed “Cocomania,” saw her reach the fourth round, igniting global fascination with her potential. Now, six years later, Gauff returns as the world No. 2, armed with two major titles—the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open—and a career-high ranking. “She’s such a great competitor and she’s such a great ambassador for our sport,” Henman said, praising her professionalism and work ethic. His sentiments were echoed by fellow former British No. 1 Annabel Croft, who believes 2025 could be Gauff’s year, stating, “I’m reaching for Coco Gauff. I think after winning Roland Garros, she’s going to have a really good Wimbledon, and she has the game for it.”
Despite her glittering resume, Wimbledon has remained elusive for Gauff, with three fourth-round exits, including in 2024 when she fell to Emma Navarro 4-6, 3-6. Her recent loss to Wang Xinyu in Berlin, 6-3, 6-3, highlighted the challenges of transitioning to grass, where her 80% match win rate at Roland Garros contrasts with a 66.7% win rate at Wimbledon. “It was a tough one today, but happy to be back on court,” Gauff posted on social media, vowing to refine her game for SW19. “I’m excited to get some more practices in to be ready for Wimbledon.” Her grass court preparation includes the Eastbourne Open, where she faces a first-round bye as the top seed, aiming to build momentum.
Gauff’s French Open triumph showcased her mental fortitude, as she battled back from a set down against Sabalenka in windy conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier. “I was aware of the wind,” she said, noting her adaptability despite preferring a closed roof. Her ability to stay composed, even as Sabalenka racked up 70 unforced errors, drew praise from 18-time major champion Chris Evert, who predicted Gauff could “win all of them,” including Wimbledon and the Australian Open. “She has so many [major titles] ahead of her,” Evert said, highlighting Gauff’s improved forehand and clutch serving, despite eight double faults in the final. Gauff’s 27 match wins at Roland Garros tie her with Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario for the fourth-most by a woman before age 22 in the Open Era, trailing only Chris Evert among Americans.
Henman’s endorsement carries weight, given his own Wimbledon legacy. A serve-and-volley specialist who reached the semi-finals in 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002, he understands the nuances of grass court tennis. “You’ve got the best women players in the world, and that’s led by Aryna Sabalenka, she’s number one in the world and she’s never won Wimbledon, so she’ll be excited about her opportunities,” he noted, but his heart is with Gauff. Her game—marked by explosive speed, as seen in her 6-1, 6-1 rout of Iga Swiatek in Madrid—translates well to grass, though former tournament director Laura Robson cautioned, “For Coco, it’s been a surface which hasn’t quite given her the results that the other Slams have.” Gauff’s determination to surpass her fourth-round ceiling, coupled with her mantra of “forgetting” her French Open win to stay hungry, as shared on the Nice Talk podcast, signals a player ready to seize the moment. “I’m really focused on getting past that stage,” she said, eyeing a deeper Wimbledon run.
As the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015, Gauff carries immense expectations. Her mental resilience, honed through “trial and error,” allows her to embrace the pressure, as evidenced by her US Open title defense in 2024, where she reached the last 16 despite 35 unforced errors against Elina Svitolina. “It means a lot, I knew today was going to be a tough match,” she said then, showcasing her ability to win under pressure. With Spike Lee, Michelle Obama, and Billie Jean King among her supporters, Gauff’s star power transcends tennis, but her focus remains on the court. As she steps onto Centre Court, aiming to become the first American woman to win Wimbledon since Serena in 2016, Henman’s belief in her shines as a beacon of hope for a historic triumph.
Leave a Reply