Cori Gauff’s rise to superstardom is exhilarating – but it raises questions about the pressure we put on young players

History seems to follow Cori Gauff wherever she goes. The youngest US Open girls’ singles finalist. The youngest player to qualify for the main Wimbledon draw. And now, to add to her growing list of remarkable feats, the youngest player since 1991 to win a match here at the All England Club.

She did so against Venus Williams – a five-time Wimbledon champion, 20-time Grand Slam finalist and veteran of the modern women’s game. Gauff, who has set her sights on becoming “the greatest”, dazzled with a display of immense maturity, composure and power that belied her 15 years of age. Williams was utterly overwhelmed.

Wimbledon, though, is no stranger to these sights of upset. Over the years, it’s borne witness to repeated shocks and surprises that have prompted onlookers to herald the coming of the “next big thing”.

“If she’s not No 1 in the world by 20 I will be absolutely shocked,” said John McEnroe in the wake of Gauff’s straight-sets win. Others saw it as a seminal moment in the women’s game, the passing of the torch from one generation to another, the coronation of the next American great.

But why the rush? Our industry can be guilty of willing these rising stars to greatness without truly appreciating them during their formative days, when anticipation, not expectation, is all that should matter. Indeed, it’s in these moments when sport’s capacity to thrill, stun and delight in equal measure is at its greatest.

On the back of Monday’s display, Gauff no doubt has the mental constitution to block out the hype we will inevitably throw her way in the days, months and years ahead. But, for now, as she attempts to carve out more moments of Wimbledon history, let’s just sit back, soak up the fun and enjoy this young star for what she is: a breath of fresh air.

Yours,

Samuel Lovett

Sports and news reporter