World number seven Coco Gauff is heading into Wimbledon with a candid admission — grass courts and she haven’t exactly been the best of friends.
The 22-year-old American, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is still searching for her first deep run at the All England Club. In six previous appearances at Wimbledon, she has never advanced past the fourth round — making it the only major tournament where she has yet to break through.
Her recent results on grass haven’t helped build confidence. At this year’s Berlin Open grasscourt event, she was eliminated in the round of 16 by Paula Badosa. And her 2025 Wimbledon campaign got off to a rough start when she fell in a stunning first-round upset to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Gauff was straightforward about her complicated relationship with the surface. “Yeah, we don’t have the best relationship,” she said.
“I always have, like, fond memories on the grass,” she added. “I obviously had a couple (of) fourth rounds here. I definitely think that I have the ability to play on it. I think it’s more about the confidence.”
Her draw at this year’s tournament isn’t making things easier. Gauff opens against world number 79 Tamara Korpatsch, but a potential path through the bracket could bring her face-to-face with fourth seed Jessica Pegula and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the later stages.
“Also, I’m not going to lie, I haven’t (had) about the best draws here at Wimbledon,” Gauff said. “I think that’s also been tough. Yeah, something that I’m learning to play on. I don’t think it’s a natural surface for me but we’re going to make it natural.”
Away from the court, Gauff also weighed in on the ongoing player-led prize money protests. Even though Wimbledon announced a record 20% increase in its total prize purse for this year, she said the boost still falls short of what players are looking for.
“I think people have to remember there are a lot of players below the rankings who are very good, top 100, top 200 in the world of their sport,” Gauff said. “They come back from injury and are not necessarily getting that support. Also we ask some of the slams to participate in the welfare programmes that we want just to help the quality of our sport as a whole.”
“I definitely think the increase is good but it’s quite not where we would like it to be. That’s why my stance has still kind of been the same,” she added.
Gauff kicks off her quest for a first Wimbledon title when play begins Monday at the All England Club.
