Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman has expressed strong support for Coco Gauff to secure her first Wimbledon title in 2025. After her recent success at the French Open, where she won her second Grand Slam by defeating Aryna Sabalenka, Henman believes Gauff will be a key player to watch at the upcoming tournament.

While grass court experts like Tatjana Maria and Marketa Vondrousova have earned titles on grass ahead of Wimbledon, Henman sees the American’s resilience and competitive spirit as crucial for challenging on the grass courts at the All-England Club. Despite Gauff’s historical challenges on grass and the fact she has not yet lifted a title on this surface, Henman remains optimistic about her potential success at SW19.

Gauff’s rise: From early Wimbledon breakthrough to French Open champion

Coco Gauff first captured public attention at Wimbledon in 2019 when, at just 15 years old, she qualified for the main draw by wildcard and stunned Venus Williams in the opening round. Henman recalled that moment as a sign of her early promise and long-term potential. Now at 21, Gauff is building on her experience with her recent victory at Roland Garros, where she lost only three matches on clay throughout the tournament.

Henman praised her character and role in tennis, saying,

“She’s [the] French Open champion; she’s such a great competitor and she’s such a great ambassador for our sport. I’d love to see her win Wimbledon.”

—Tim Henman

He also noted the competitive landscape at Wimbledon led by world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who has yet to win at SW19, suggesting that several top women players will be motivated to claim the Venus Rosewater Dish this year.

Seedings and preparation ahead of Wimbledon 2025

For Wimbledon 2025, Coco Gauff will enter the tournament as the number two seed, marking the highest seeding of her career at this prestigious event. The top seed is currently Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff’s progress at Wimbledon has seen her reach the fourth round in previous years, but she has yet to advance further in the tournament.

Her recent early exit in the Berlin Open was a setback in the run-up to this Grand Slam, but Gauff is already training on grass courts as she prepares for the tournament which begins on Monday. The weeks before Wimbledon have featured notable performances from other grass court specialists, increasing the level of competition she will face.

Significance of Gauff’s challenge for the Wimbledon crown

Coco Gauff’s pursuit of a Wimbledon title carries considerable significance both for her individual career and the broader women’s circuit. Winning at SW19 would mark an important milestone, adding a third Grand Slam trophy to her record and demonstrating her versatility across different surfaces. With strong contenders like Tatjana Maria and Marketa Vondrousova also in form, the tournament promises to be highly competitive.

Henman’s hope for Gauff’s success reflects a wider anticipation that the young American will continue to grow as a powerful figure in women’s tennis, inspiring fans with her persistence and skill.