Gauff becomes youngest Wimbledon qualifier in Open Era history

Cori “Coco” Gauff, of Delray Beach, Fla., has made the Wimbledon record books before the main tournament has even started. Thursday, she became the youngest player to make it through the qualifying tournament and into the main draw since the Open Era began in 1968.

Gauff, at 15 years and 122 days, made history by defeating Greet Minnen 6-1, 6-1 in the final day of qualifying. Gauff had to get a wild card to even compete in Wimbledon qualifying, since she is No. 301 in the WTA rankings.

“I’m still in shock,” she told reporters at Wimbledon after Thursday’s match.

Earlier in the week, she secured victories against Aliona Bolsova (6-3, 6-4) and Valentyna Ivakhnenko (6-2, 6-3) in the first and second rounds of qualifying. Bolsova was the No. 1 seed in qualifying and ranked No. 94.

There have been 11 younger players who have competed at Wimbledon since 1968, but they did not go through qualifying to get into the main draw.

Earlier this year, Gauff became the youngest female tennis player to win a Grand Slam match in the qualifying rounds of the French Open with her victory against Ankita Raina. Gauff was later knocked out of qualifying in the second round by Kaja Juvan.

When the Wimbledon main draw is released on Friday, Gauff will learn her opponent in the first round.

Gauff is no stranger to historic accomplishments as she became the youngest girl to make a U.S. Open girls final at the age of 13 and also became the fifthyoungest winner of the French Open girls championship at 14.