Wimbledon wunderkind Cori Gauff has attracted the attention of fans across the world as more people tuned in to watch her defeat Slovenian Polona Hercog on Friday than any match played so far in the competetion.
The teenage sensation, known affectionately as Coco, brought in 5.2million viewers in her third-round match against Hercog, which is 600,000 more than last year’s peak.
In 2018, the Women’s Single finals brought in 4.6million viewers, while the Men’s was a close second with 4.5million tuning in.
At just 15, she performed the first major upset of the competition, defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, 39, and has since been watched more than Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
Wimbledon wunderkind Cori Gauff has attracted the attention of fans across the globe as more people tuned in to watch her defeat Slovenian Polona Hercog on Friday than matches played by A-list names. Pictured today practising at the All England club
The teenage sensation, pictured practising today, who is known affectionately as Coco, brought in 5.2million viewers in her third-round match against Hercog, which is 700,000 more than watched the final last year
While Coco’s third-round defeat against Hercog, 28, will guarantee her a cheque of £176,000 ($221,000), she is likely to see endorsement offers roll in as she’s become the most watched athlete of the competition.
She saw more viewers than Nadal’s game against Nick Kyrgios as well as Andy Murray’s return to Wimbledon in the doubles alongside Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Coco’s defeat against 2017 semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova, with 2.4million viewers, also outperformed Djokovic, Kyle Edmund and Serena Williams.
The Atlanta-born teen, who is ranked 313th in the world, will play open Week 2 tomorrow as part of ‘Manic Monday’ after becoming the youngest person to reach that stage of the All England Club’s tournament since 1991.
Gauff beat legendary tennis star Venus Williams in the first round, Rybarikova in the second and then, most dramatically of all, survived two match points in the second set to get past 60th-ranked Polona Hercog at Centre Court.
At just 15, Coco performed the first major upset of the competition, defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, 39, and has since been watched more than Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Andy Murray (pictured at Aorangi Park for a practice session during Middle Sunday of The Championship)
While Coco’s third-round defeat against Hercog, 28, will guarantee her a cheque of £176,000 ($221,000), she is likely to see endorsement offers roll in as she’s become the most watched athlete of the competition
She outperformed Nadal’s game against Nick Kyrgios as well as Andy Murray’s return to Wimbledon in the doubles alongside Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Coco’s defeat against Rybarikova, with 2.4million viewers, also outperformed Djokovic, Kyle Edmund and Serena Williams
The Atlanta-born teen, who is ranked 313th in the world, will play open Week 2 tomorrow as part of ‘Manic Monday’ after becoming the youngest person to reach that stage of the All England Club’s tournament since 1991.
Gauff beat legendary tennis star Venus Williams in the first round, 2017 semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova in the second and then, most dramatically of all, survived two match points in the second set to get past 60th-ranked Polona Hercog at Centre Court
Now comes what could be the toughest test yet, facing former No. 1 and 2018 French Open champion Simona Halep.
The schoolgirl, who became an overnight sensation after beating the elder Williams sister, had her first taste of defeat at SW19 yesterday after losing in the mixed doubles. But she is still celebrating after being congratulated by Michelle Obama for her stunning Centre Court comeback on Friday.
The 15-year-old was in action alongside Briton Jay Clarke, 20, in the mixed doubles on Court Two yesterday afternoon. But both players struggled to gain traction losing the game by two sets (6-1, 6-4).
The Briton had dumped his British doubles partner Harriet Jay in order to partner up with the rising tennis star for the mixed doubles. But it seems the pairing was not meant to be.
The schoolgirl, who became an overnight sensation after beating the elder Williams sister, had her first taste of defeat at SW19 yesterday after losing in the mixed doubles
She is still celebrating after being congratulated by Michelle Obama for her stunning Centre Court comeback on Friday
The 15-year-old was in action alongside Briton Jay Clarke, 20, in the mixed doubles on Court Two yesterday afternoon
Cori Gauff of the US and Britain’s Jay Clarke after losing their first round mixed doubles match against Sweden’s Robert Lindstedt and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko
Britain’s Jay Clarke reacts alongside rising star Gauff after they lost their mixed doubles game on Court Two yesterday
Cori shakes hands with Sweden’s Robert Lindstedt after their first round mixed doubles match. It was her first taste of defeat at Wimbledon
Coco looked dejected after losing her first round mixed doubles match. She will have another chance of success on Monday however, as she takes on Simona Halep in the fourth round of the women’s singles
Cori and Clarke leave the court after losing their first round mixed doubles match against Sweden’s Robert Lindstedt and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko
Coco posted this image on her Instagram saying that it was ‘crazy’ that the former first lady had tweeted about her success at Wimbledon
But Gauff’s fairytale tournament is not over as she takes on former world number one Simona Halep in the fourth round of the women’s singles on Monday. And is ecstatic at having recently received congratulations from Michelle Obama.
Riding a wave of euphoria, Coco posted about her surprise, saying it was ‘crazy’ to be tweeted about by the former first lady.
Jaden Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, and Beyonce’s mother have also sent messages of support.
There were huge cheers from the crowds on Centre Court, which included both her parents and Spice Girl Geri Horner, as Coco =took the third set 7-5. She will now face her fourth round match on Monday
Speaking after the match, she said she ‘always knew she could come back’, adding: ‘The crowd was amazing, even when I was down a match point they kept cheering me on’ (Gauff is pictured after winning)
She also sent a message of thanks to South Florida after she was sent an image of street art that depicted her at Wimbledon.
Earlier this week Coco went wild after seeing that a video of her mother celebrating her tennis success had gone viral, and said ‘please tell me that she’s a meme’.
Since her fairytale rise began her Instagram and Twitter accounts ballooned, amassing as many as 265,000 followers on the former and 83,900 followers on the latter.
Jay Clarke ruthlessly ditched his British compatriot Harriet Dart for the mixed doubles
Dart said there was not enough time left for her to find another mixed doubles partner
However, three days ago she left British player Dart frustrated after asking the 22-year-old’s doubles partner Clarke to couple up with her instead.
Explaining his decision to join the American schoolgirl Clarke, who is Britain’s second highest ranked doubles player, said he had known Cori ‘for a number of years’ before she ‘got in contact and asked me to play’.
‘That was tough. I had to let her know because I saw the pairs that had signed in, and I was like ‘am I even going to get in?”
He also said he felt ‘100 per cent’ sorry for his former partner and that it was ‘the worst decision I have had to make especially mid tournament’.
‘I didn’t sleep too well the night before I played Noah (in the first round) but hopefully she understands why I did it.
‘Those things are never easy. I have been pushed out of cuts this year six times at 11.59 when people chop and change partners just to get in the draw. It’s the first time I’ve had to do it and I’m sorry for her it happened.’
The youngster was being cheered on by her parents (left), who have devoutly supported her throughout the competition. The couple, Corey and Candi Gauff, hugged one another as their daughter celebrated victory
Gauff showed her strong fighting spirit as she fought to win an epic 70 minute second set which took both players to a tiebreak. Speaking after the match Gauff said: ‘The crowd was amazing, even when I was down a match point they kept cheering me on’
Trying to rise above her frustration, the 22-year-old tennis player who was let down said she was left in no doubt about her feelings.
‘Essentially due to the timing I wasn’t able to find another partner in the time period available.
‘I did ask a number of people but a lot of them were set up and that’s it. I think you should ask Jay about his reasons, that’s all I want to say.’
After her victory yesterday Coco said she’d buy more hoodies that she ‘loves’ as she can’t drive yet.
‘My mom, she banned me from buying hoodies for two months’, said the excitable teenager, ‘every week I was getting new hoodies sent to the house.’
Asked further about her parents, she said: ‘They have the biggest input, especially my mom. She definitely changed my mindset in how I look on things.
‘My dad, he’s the reason why I dream so big. I think the kind of believing part of my dad and the more stay focused, stay calm of my mom is like a good mix.’
Geri Horner attends day five of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. She watched Gauff battle to victory in her third round match
Geri Horner took to Instagram following the match, writing: ‘Coco is girl power. An inspiration to young girls to follow your dreams and work hard. What a privilege to watch and meet you’
Polona Hercog reacts after she loses the second set against 15-year-old Coco Gauff. The Slovenian had won the first set 6-3, but lost a tiebreak in the second and 5-7 in the last
Both were watching on yesterday, as they have done in all of her other matches at Wimbledon, and were seen hugging one another as their daughter celebrated victory.
Their daughters victory was also watched by Spice Girl Geri Horner, who took to social media to celebrate the victory.
‘Coco is girl power’, she applauded, ‘an inspiration to young girls to follow your dreams and work hard. What a privilege to watch and meet you.’
At her father’s bar in Delray Beach, Florida crowds went wild as they watched Gauff progress to the fourth round.
As a child she moved to the state for its elite tennis facilities previously used by both Venus and Serena Williams.
Gauff has captured the hearts of spectators with her unexpected rise through the competition, beating both Serena Williams and Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova
Coco Gauff leaves the court after celebrating her victory over Polona Hercog of Slovinia during day five of Wimbledon
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.
But Gauff is trying to stay grounded and said she is a ‘goofy’ girl off-court who likes to make jokes and still laughs when people ask to take pictures of her.
This was her Centre Court debut, but the crowd soon took her to their hearts, even before her impressive comeback. She had to fight hard in the second set to win a tiebreak
Hercog’s first match point came and went on Gauff’s serve at 3-5, with a second arriving a game later when she was serving for the match