15-Year-Old American Coco Gauff Makes It Through Last 16 At Wimbledon

When Gauff defeated Greet Minnen of Belgium last month, she secured her place in the first-round draw at Wimbledon. At just fifteen years of age, Gauff was the youngest player ever to accomplish this feat.

Facing tennis legend Venus Williams in the opening round at Wimbledon, Gauff faced a tough challenge. But she handled Williams easily, beating her in straight sets. It was just the second time in her career that Williams had lost in Wimbledon's first round.

Gauff went on to face Slovak pro, and four-time WTA singles titleholder Magdaléna Rybáriková. Unfazed, Gauff defeated Rybáriková 6-3, 6-3 in a match that took just over an hour. Gauff was set for the third round.

In a tough match against Polona Hercog of Slovenia, Gauff overcame an early deficit to score a 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 comeback victory. It was a gritty victory, and the first real challenge the 15-year-old has faced at Wimbledon.

Now one of the final 16 competitors at Wimbledon, Gauff will face Simona Halep in the next round. Halep, who's been ranked number one in the world two separate times, will be a challenging opponent.

A 15-year-old beating some of the best players in the world is certainly an underdog story. But while Gauff may be young, her tennis credentials — even before Wimbledon — speak for themselves.

It was actually Williams' coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, who recognized Gauff's talents at a young age. At the age of eleven, she was selected to train with Mouratoglou at his tennis academy in France.

As a 14-year-old in 2018, Gauff made her pro debut, winning her first junior Grand Slam title at the 2018 French Open. She also won a doubles' championship in September of 2018.

Gauff's already racked up some impressive winnings, and she's even inked a multi-year sponsorship deal with New Balance, putting her in the company of other elite athletes like NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard and Rose Lavelle of the U.S. women's soccer team.

It'll be Gauff versus Halep on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon. The winner will go through to the round of eight. No offense to Simona Halep, but we're pulling for Gauff all the way.