Stunning Venus Williams at 15, Coco Gauff Faces Grim 6-Year Wimbledon Reality Check

Fresh off her triumphant French Open run, the second seed Coco Gauff now eyes the elusive Channel Slam, something no woman has achieved since Serena Williams in 2015. But as she gears up for her 2025 Wimbledon campaign, doubts begin to echo across the grass. Despite her clay dominance, Gauff has struggled at SW19, only going as far as the 4th round in past attempts. And now, American tennis icon Pam Shriver deals a heavy blow to that dream, issuing a grim verdict on Gauff’s chances. The chase for back-to-back glory just got steeper. But what exactly did Shriver say to shake the American dream?

In a candid conversation with Arab News’on the sidelines of Wimbledon, tennis legend Pam Shriver didn’t hold back as she reflected on Coco Gauff’s journey on grass. She rolled back the clock to 2019, the year Gauff exploded onto the scene, stunning her childhood idol Venus Williams and blazing into the R16. “You’d think six years ago, because Coco had her first big splash here getting to the round of 16, beating Venus on Court 1, the way she produced on Center Court for the first time, that given her athleticism, that grass would be a good surface for her, but it’s actually not,” Shriver remarked, hitting a nerve.

Shriver peeled the layers even further, analyzing the current Roland Garros winner’s technical discomfort. “I think it’s clearly her third best surface,” she stated flatly, before zoning in on a critical weakness. “I think how low it stays is particularly difficult for the forehand, and for the same reason, clay is her best surface, it’s the exact opposite.” 

The former doubles world top seed then addressed another flaw that’s haunted Coco in recent battles. “And I also think people have an aggressive mindset on second serve returns on grass, because that’s another vulnerable area for her,” Shriver said. “And also, while obviously her quickness helps you on any surface, anywhere, but honestly, even grass, if it’s a fast day, the sun’s out, it’s going to be hot, it’s even fast for Coco.” 

To cap it off, Shriver dropped the hammer in the last: “So you put all those things together, and she doesn’t have a great history here since she had her breakthrough.” A sobering verdict, one that casts real doubt on Coco Gauff’s 2025 Wimbledon quest.

Indeed, the icon’s judgment wasn’t off, not until the newest Roland Garros champion stepped onto Wimbledon’s grass for the 1st time this year today. For Coco Gauff, SW19 remains the only Grand Slam stage where she hasn’t cracked the quarterfinal code. Despite three fourth-round appearances in 2019, 2021, and 2024, the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon have proven her toughest test. Last year, her campaign ended in frustration, falling in straight sets to Emma Navarro, 4-6, 3-6.

Statistically, Gauff holds a solid 69.23% win rate on grass, though it still trails her performance on clay and hard courts. She’s shown sparks on this surface, reaching SF in Berlin twice (2022, 2024) and once in Eastbourne (2023). Yet the surface continues to challenge her timing, movement, and consistency.

Still, tennis royalty Chris Evert remains unwavering in her belief. When asked about Gauff’s Wimbledon potential, Evert didn’t hesitate. “She is going to win all of them, yeah. For sure, she can win on every surface. She has won on clay and on hard. I can definitely see that she can win Wimbledon.”

But this year’s draw is no stroll through the English garden. Gauff’s path at the 2025 Wimbledon is fraught with challenges, as a difficult draw awaits that could push her to her limits.

Coco Gauff’s potential draw for the 2025 Wimbledon

Coco Gauff’s 2025 Wimbledon journey kicks off with danger written all over it. Her 1st-round opponent, Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, is no easy task. The 25-year-old has been lighting up the grass circuit, a finalist in Nottingham and sharp in Eastbourne. If Gauff survives that opening minefield, the storm only thickens.

Next up could be former top seed Victoria Azarenka, a battle-hardened veteran who’s seen it all. Following that could be an electric third-round matchup against 2020 Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin. Gauff has a slight edge in their rivalry, leading 3-2, but Kenin is known for stepping up in big moments. If Gauff already gets past her, a potential fourth-round battle with the crafty Daria Kasatkina could be on the horizon.

The deeper she goes, the fiercer it gets. A possible quarterfinal clash with five-time Grand Slam champ Iga Swiatek could be on the cards. If Gauff can push through that challenge, she might face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the semis, setting the stage for a blockbuster final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka—a showdown packed with tension, history, and mutual respect.

But let’s not sugarcoat it, this draw is merciless. Even former US Open champion Andy Roddick didn’t hold back: “Coco has a brutal draw, just so we’re clear, Coco has a nightmare of a draw…I don’t think Coco makes it to the fourth round.” 

The road to glory is steep. But greatness is born in fire. To follow Coco Gauff’s journey and more at Wimbledon, check out EssentiallySports‘ live blog coverage of the Grand Slam event.