​Coco Gauff fought through three exhausting sets against Karolína Muchová in the Wimbledon women’s semifinal on Thursday, but her quest to reach her first major singles final fell just short after a tiebreak defeat to Muchová. The result meant that no American woman or man would claim the coveted Wimbledon trophy this year, as the prize stayed out of reach for the homegrown players.
Cori Coco Gauff hails from Delray Beach, Florida, though she spent a formative period training in the greater Atlanta area. One of her earliest tennis coaches, who spoke with Channel 2’s Karyn Greer, recalled that it was clear early on that Gauff was destined for greatness. “One thing I know about Coco is that she is a fighter. She was a fighter when she was seven. On the court, no matter the drill, she was going to execute it to the best of her ability,” said Jewel Peterson, who coached Gauff at that tender age.
Peterson remembered picking the young prodigy up from elementary school and witnessing her drive firsthand. “I’ve just been so excited to see how she keeps getting better and better each year—how she handles the pressure, the big stages, and the experiences of playing in France and across the world. It is incredibly thrilling to watch her make those kinds of adjustments,” Peterson added.