Two former British No 1 players believe Coco Gauff will win this year’s women’s singles title at Wimbledon with both impressed by the American’s on-court and off-court personality.

Gauff made her top-level breakthrough as a 15-year-old in 2019 when she became the youngest qualifier to reach the Wimbledon main draw, going on to reach the round of 16 after beating the great Venus Williams in the first round.

Four years later, she became a Grand Slam winner as she won her home event, the US Open at Flushing Meadows, in 2023 and just over a year after that victory she claimed her second major after lifting the Roland Garros trophy just over a fortnight ago.

The 21-year-old, who currently sits at a career-high No 2 in the WTA Rankings, has not only impressed with her performances on court, but many have praised her for being a leader off the court as she is not afraid to take a stand against social ills.

Former world No 4 Tim Henman was asked about this year’s women’s tournament during BBC Sport’s unveiling of their 2025 Wimbledon line-up and replied: “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.

“I think Coco Gauff, 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 and it’s amazing to think that she’s been around for six years and she’s still only 21.

“She’s [the] French Open champion; she’s such a great competitor and she’s such a great ambassador for our sport. I’d love to see her win Wimbledon.”

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Gauff is yet to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon as she  has exited at that stage on three occasions, including in 2024.

However, another former British No 1 turned tennis commentator Annabel Croft also spoke highly of the two-time Grand Slam winner as she also backed Gauff to win this year’s grass-court major at the All England Club.

“I’m reaching for Coco Gauff. I think after winning Roland Garros I think she’s going to have a really good Wimbledon, and she’s going to have confidence, and I think she has the game for it. She’s already a big star but it brings it to a bigger global audience.

“I’m a huge fan of not just her tennis, but her work ethic, her professionalism, I like her personality, and I think that she’s going to be certainly a big force.

“She’s already a big star but I think if she won Wimbledon it brings it to a bigger global audience. Wimbledon is quite special.”