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

The sports industry often pushes greatness on youthful hopefuls without truly appreciating them during their formative days. But anticipation, not expectation, is all that should matter

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”.