Coco Gauff reached her first Wimbledon semifinal in 2026, ending a two-year winless streak on grass courts. The No. 7 seed beat five opponents before falling to Karolina Muchova in three sets, a run that pushed her world ranking to No. 4 and made her the youngest player since Maria Sharapova to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slams.
The 22-year-old American, ranked No. 4 in the world, has now proven she can compete deep into majors on every surface. Her Wimbledon run marked a turning point after grass had long been her weakest surface.
How the Wimbledon Run Unfolded
Gauff entered the 2026 Wimbledon Championships as the No. 7 seed carrying a difficult recent history on grass. She had not won a singles match on the surface since 2024, making her run through the draw unexpected.
She defeated five opponents in succession to reach the semifinals for the first time in her career:
- Tamara Korpatsch
- Solana Sierra
- Claire Liu
- Belinda Bencic
- Jessica Pegula
That sequence of wins made her the youngest player to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments since Maria Sharapova.
In the semifinal, Gauff faced Karolina Muchova and lost 2-6, 6-1, 6-7(10-12). She held a match point in the deciding-set tiebreak before Muchova closed out the win. Gauff described the tournament as a breakthrough on grass and said she left London without regrets.
The result lifted her ranking to No. 4 in the world.
2026 Season Overview
Gauff’s Wimbledon semifinal came during a season that included both high points and early exits across the other majors. At the Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals. She then advanced to the finals in both Miami and Rome. At the French Open, where she was the defending champion, she exited in the third round.
As of early August 2026, Gauff holds a season record of 31 wins and 12 losses, with more than $4.1 million in prize money earned this year. She is currently competing at the National Bank Open in Toronto.
Career Background
Born Cori Dionne Gauff on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, she turned professional in 2018. She stands 5-foot-9, plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand, and is known for a serve-heavy, athletic style built around speed. Her coach is Jean-Christophe Faurel.
Gauff first drew international attention at age 15. At the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, she qualified for the main draw as the youngest player in tournament history and defeated Venus Williams in the first round, before advancing to the fourth round. That same year, she won her first WTA singles title in Linz as a lucky loser entrant.
Grand Slam Titles
Gauff reached her first major final at the 2022 French Open, losing to Iga Swiatek. She won her first Grand Slam title in 2023 at the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final at age 19.
In 2024, she won the WTA Finals in Riyadh along with titles in Auckland and Beijing, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 2.
In 2025, she won her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, again defeating Sabalenka in the final, and added a title in Wuhan. She finished that season ranked No. 3.
Career Totals
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam singles titles | 2 |
| Singles titles overall | 11 |
| Doubles titles overall | 10 |
| Career prize money | More than $33 million |
Her doubles titles include the 2024 French Open championship, won alongside Katerina Siniakova.
Playing Style and Influences
Gauff favors hard courts but has worked to expand her game across all surfaces. She has credited the Williams sisters as an influence on her fighting spirit and athletic approach to the game.
Off the Court
Gauff has spoken publicly about experiencing impostor syndrome despite her sustained success on tour. She has also supported education-related causes, including a $150,000 pledge to the United Negro College Fund made during the 2026 Australian Open.
Her parents, Corey and Candi Gauff, both former college athletes, have guided her career throughout her development as a professional. She maintains a high public profile through endorsements and remains one of the most recognizable players in women’s tennis.
What Comes Next
With her Wimbledon semifinal proving she can contend on grass, Gauff now turns to the hard-court season, including the US Open, as she looks to add a third Grand Slam title to her career.
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