Teenager Cori Gauff ‘living the dream’, but aspiring ‘to be the greatest’

She is the youngest player to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw and now she is the youngest player to win a match at the All England Club so unsurprisingly Cori “Coco” Gauff feels she is “living the dream” at the moment.
The 15-year-old shocked tennis great Venus Williams in the first round at SW19 on Monday, winning 6-4, 6-4 to set up a clash against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia.
At the end of the one hour and 19 minute contest, and after she regained her composure after her magnificent victory, Gauff had a brief exchange with Williams during the post-match handshakes.
“She told me congratulations and keep going, she said good luck and I told her thanks for everything she did,” the teenager later revealed.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her – I told her she was so inspiring and I’ve always wanted to tell her that but I’ve never had the guts to before.
“My parents will be super happy, my dad was jumping up every time I won a point, I’m so happy they spent all their time on me and my brothers and making sure we’re successful.
“I never thought this would happen. I’m literally living my dream right now.”
Gauff has been tipped for great things. Heck, she is expected to earn more than $1million in sponsorship deals this year.
So unsurprisingly she is setting her sights high.
“I said this before: I want to be the greatest,” the American said during her post-match press conference. “My dad told me that I could do this when I was eight. Obviously you never believe it. I’m still, like, not 100% confident, but you have to just say things.
“You never know what happens. If I went into this match saying, ‘Let’s see how many games I can get against her,’ then I most definitely would not have won. My goal was to play my best. My dream was to win. That’s what happened.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Comment: Crestfallen Alexander Zverev is broken and he needs to find a quick fix
-
John Nicholson: How John McEnroe and two guys from Teesside helped transform Wimbledon
-
T365 Recall: When Pete Sampras won his first Wimbledon title in 1993
-
Mats Wilander casts doubts over Roger Federer’s hopes of adding to his major title haul
-
Tennis365’s exclusive masterclass from elite coach ahead of Wimbledon
-
Latest
-
News
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid do it again as they win fourth Australian Open title in a row
The pair were dominant in victory over Dutch duo Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.
-
Australian Open
Victoria Azarenka snaps back at questions over Novak Djokovic’s dad: ‘You can spin the story however you want’
Victoria Azarenka unimpressed about line of questioning.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas on being within touching distance of No 1 spot: ‘I like that number. It’s all about you’
Stefanos Tsitsipas one win away from a maiden Grand Slam title and the No 1 ranking.
-
Australian Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas into first Australian Open final after overcoming wobble and Karen Khachanov
The Greek will bid for a first Grand Slam title on Sunday.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal gives fitness and comeback update following latest injury setback
Rafael Nadal to miss Dubai event while there are doubts over his participation in Sunshine Double.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s father won’t attend semi-final after flag furore – ‘I had no intention of being caught up in this’
Srdjan Djokovic stood next to a man holding a Russia flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on.
-
Live Tennis
2023 Australian Open: Follow day 12 with T365’s live scores and results centre…
This way for the action from the 2023 Australian Open.
-
Tennis News
Does Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina: Why the quiet girl is set to dominate Grand Slam tennis
Elena Rybakina could be an all-timer.