Gauff’s On Fire: Will She Conquer Wimbledon?

Coco Gauff is heading into Wimbledon 2025 with high expectations, and a former world No. 1 is making a bold prediction about her chances. With her recent victory at Roland Garros, Gauff is now considered one of the top contenders for the title at the All England Club.

Wilander’s Bold Prediction

Mats Wilander, a former world No. 1, has stated that Gauff is one of the two big favorites to win Wimbledon. He believes that her serve, which has been considered a weaker part of her game, will continue to improve as her confidence grows. Wilander also highlighted her exceptional movement on grass, comparing it to “moving on an ice rink,” and expects her forehand to become even more effective. He emphasizes that Gauff “doesn’t play to produce beautiful tennis, but to win,”.

Gauff’s Strengths on Grass

Wilander’s comments are particularly noteworthy considering that Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam where Gauff has not advanced beyond the fourth round. However, her game is well-suited to grass. Her ability to move quickly and efficiently on the surface gives her a significant advantage. Moreover, her powerful forehand and improving serve make her a formidable opponent.

Confidence is Key

According to Wilander, confidence will be a key factor for Gauff at Wimbledon. Coming off her recent Grand Slam win at the French Open, Gauff is likely to have a surge in confidence, which could translate to improved performance on the court. This increased confidence may help her overcome the challenges she has faced at Wimbledon in the past.

The Draw and Potential Obstacles

Despite the optimism surrounding Gauff’s chances, she faces a potentially difficult draw. In the first round, she is set to face Dayana Yastremska, a Ukrainian player currently ranked 42nd in the world. While Gauff has won all three of their previous encounters, Yastremska is a capable player on grass, having reached the final of a tournament and the quarter-finals of another recently.

Potential Future Opponents

If Gauff advances beyond the first round, she could face former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the second round, followed by a potential match against Sofia Kenin in the third round. Overcoming these hurdles could lead to a fourth-round clash with Daria Kasatkina and a quarter-final showdown with Iga Swiatek. Should Gauff navigate through these challenging matches, she might encounter Jessica Pegula or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, with a potential final against Aryna Sabalenka.

Roddick’s Assessment

Andy Roddick described Gauff’s draw as a “nightmare,” emphasizing the challenges posed by Yastremska and the other potential opponents. He noted that Yastremska is comfortable on grass and that Gauff will need to be at her best from the very beginning of the tournament.

Other Expert Opinions

While Wilander is particularly bullish on Gauff’s chances, other experts have offered varied perspectives. Martina Navratilova has named Gauff as the “second favorite” for Wimbledon 2025, behind Aryna Sabalenka. Some experts, like Todd Woodbridge, suggest it may be difficult for Gauff to win back-to-back major titles.

Sabalenka’s Favoritism

Aryna Sabalenka is widely considered the top favorite to win Wimbledon. She is the top seed and world number one, and she has had a strong year, reaching the finals of the Australian Open and French Open. However, the unpredictable nature of Wimbledon, particularly on the women’s side, means that anything is possible.

Gauff’s Recent Form

Prior to Wimbledon, Gauff experienced a setback with a first-round loss in Berlin to Xinyu Wang. However, some believe that this defeat could serve as motivation for her to bounce back strongly at Wimbledon. Gauff has taken time off to prepare and is expected to be well-rested for the tournament.

Gauff’s Wimbledon History

Coco Gauff’s best result at Wimbledon was reaching the fourth round in 2019. She also reached the fourth round in 2021 and 2022. Last year, she was defeated in the round of 16 by Emma Navarro. While she has not yet had a breakthrough performance at Wimbledon, her recent success at the French Open suggests that she may be ready to make a deep run this year.

Grass Court Aggressiveness

Some analysts suggest that Gauff’s playing style may be less suited to grass than other surfaces. Grass courts favor aggressive tennis, and it can be more challenging for Gauff to grind out wins on this surface. However, her improved serve and forehand could help her overcome this challenge.

The Bottom Line

Coco Gauff enters Wimbledon 2025 as one of the leading contenders, buoyed by her recent French Open victory. While she faces a potentially difficult draw and has not historically performed well at Wimbledon, her confidence and improved game make her a threat to win the title. Whether she can live up to the bold predictions remains to be seen, but she is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch at this year’s tournament.