Coco takes centre stage: 15-year-old tennis wonderkid makes debut on Wimbledon’s main court in front of roaring crowd as she bids to continue her fairytale tournament
- Gauff, 15, is in action against Slovenian Polona Hercog, 28, on centre court today
- The youngster has been the talk of the tournament since beating Venus Williams
- She beat Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova, 30, to get through to the third round
- If she wins today she will progress through to the fourth round of competition
American schoolgirl Coco Gauff is vying to keep her Wimbledon dream alive, as she battles to get through to the fourth round of the competition.
The 15-year-old, from Florida in the US, has been the talk of the tournament since she beat her idol Venus Williams, 39, in the first round.
And today she makes her debut on Centre Court as she takes on Solvenian Polona Hercog on a hot and sunny day at the All England Club.
Coco Gauff, 15, is making her debut on Centre Court today as she takes on Solvenian Polona Hercog. She has been the talk of the tournament since she beat her idol Venus Williams, 39, in the first round
The youngster is being cheered on by her parents (pictured), who have devoutly supported her throughout the competition
Gauff has captured the hearts of spectators with her unexpected rise through the competition, beating both Serena Williams and Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova (pictured in action today)
The youngster is being cheered on by her parents, who have devoutly supported her throughout the competition.
They and the millions of people watching the young tennis sensation will be hoping she’s able to keep her Wimbledon dream alive today.
She is currently one set down against Hercog on Centre Court – the competition’s largest stadium, and one of the world’s premiere courts.
Gauff has captured the hearts of spectators with her unexpected rise through the competition, beating both Serena Williams and Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova.
The youngster took up tennis aged seven and became the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history at just 15.
The youngster took up tennis aged seven and became the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history at just 15. She is taking on Solvenian Polona Hercog in the third round today
Gauff is taking on on Solvenian Polona Hercog, the world number 60. Whoever wins will progress through to the fourth round of the competition
Coco Gauff (left) is making her debut on Centre Court as she takes on Solvenian Polona Hercog (right) on a hot and sunny day at the All England Club
Speaking of her second round victory against Rybarikova she said: ‘Over the last few days there’s been so much going on, I’m still shocked I’m still even here.’
As a child she moved Delray Beach in Florida for its elite tennis facilities previously used by both Venus and Serena Williams, whom Coco grew up idolising.
Her father has had a huge impact on her life, travelling the world with her as her coach and inspiring her to use her developing ‘voice’ for change.
While her mother gave up teaching to home school her daughter to allow her to concentrate on the sport.
All the hard work is beginning to pay off, with the teenager expected to rake in around £800,000 ($1million) in 2019 through prize money and sponsorship deals.