Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon dream is over — at least for now.
The 15-year-old tennis sensation lost to Simona Halep on Monday at Wimbledon in the Round of 16, ending an improbable run that captivated sports fans’ attention since last week.
Halep won 6-3, 6-3, defeating the teenager in straight sets.
A step too far for Coco Gauff – but what a memorable ride it's been 🎢@Simona_Halep ends the 15-year-old's run to move into the quarter-finals at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/7IO43ZEO8b
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2019
Gauff, ranked 313th in the world, appeared to be suffering from stomach cramps during the match with seventh-ranked Halep, according to The Mail. Nevertheless, she’ll pocket £176,000 ($220,231) in prize money for her performance at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.
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Gauff is the youngest woman to qualify for Wimbledon in the Open Era (since 1968). She defeated her idol, 39-year-old Venus Williams, last week in the first round, then toppled Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Had Gauff beat Halep, she would have become the youngest Wimbledon quarterfinalist since American Jennifer Capriati reached the stage in 1991 at age 15. While it wasn’t meant to be, Gauff still earned the praise of tennis legend Billie Jean King and many other observers.
Your journey is far from over, @CocoGauff. Looking forward to watching your future successes on the court and off. #BigFan https://t.co/HHq3H4Xwrg
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 8, 2019
Congratulations @CocoGauff you have made your mark.
— matthew perry (@MatthewPerry) July 8, 2019
Tough outcome today but very excited to watch @CocoGauff for many years to come. https://t.co/nQNGkjmzEm
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) July 8, 2019
Congratulations on a brilliant run across the pond, @CocoGauff.
You made Florida proud. ✊ pic.twitter.com/i5RNIDIrYG
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) July 8, 2019
The end of a chapter in an amazing story…
Congratulations on a fortnight to remember, @cocogauff! 👏🇺🇸#Wimbledon | #TeamUSATennis pic.twitter.com/7yb6UB5Fdi
— USTA (@usta) July 8, 2019
