It’s a week of emerging teenage female tennis talents, as Cori Gauff became the youngest player in the professional era to survive the Wimbledon qualifying draw on Thursday.
After having 16 year old African No. 2 Oyinlomo Quadre reach the Semi’s of the CBN Open on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria; 15-year-old American Cori Gauff on same day thrashed Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-1 6-1 to seal her place in next week’s Wimbledon main draw.
Gauff, who is combining her tennis practice sessions with schoolwork, claimed her third successive straight-sets victory to qualify for the third grand slam of the tennis season.
“I knew I was the underdog and I was just enjoying it,” Gauff said; making it known to reporters after her win that it would be a dream to play idols Serena or Venus Williams at Wimbledon.
“Serena is the reason why I play tennis and why my dad decided to get me a racket.
The American teen, who won the French Open junior title in 2018, was given a wild card into the Wimbledon qualifying event and took advantage in spectacular fashion.
She will be the first 15-year-old in the main draw since Britain’s Laura Robson in 2009.
Asked about who she would love to meet at Wimbledon next week; Gauff stated: “Obviously, I don’t care who I play I’m just happy to be in the draw but I would love to share the court with Serena. If I played any one of them it would be a dream come true.”
Quadre
