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15-year old Cori Gauff has just produced one of the greatest upsets in Wimbledon history by beating her idol: seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams.
Gauff, ranked 301 in the world and the first 15-year-old in the main draw since Britain's Laura Robson in 2009, produced a masterful performance to beat the 39-year old 6-4 6-4 in straight sets in the first round.
To highlight just how incredible this result is and also to make you feel very old, Venus was already a two-time Wimbledon winner before Cori was even born. What's more, Toxic by Britney Spears was the top song in the charts when she came into the world.
INCREDIBLE!
15-year-old :flag_us: Cori Gauff defeats 5-time champion Venus Williams at Wimbledon 6-4, 6-4.
Cori Gauff was born on March 13, 2004.
Remember the name. pic.twitter.com/thiSJv4ADS
- SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) July 1, 2019
CORI GAUFF, WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?!!!
15 years old.
Youngest player to feature in the main #wimbledon draw in the Open Era.
She's beaten the five-time champion.
Her idol.
Venus Williams.
On her debut.
INCREDIBLE!
:point_right: https://t.co/8X5R9MywZB #bbctennis pic.twitter.com/SzA7d5ehFr
- BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 1, 2019
"Oh this is good... the kid is SO good!"
Cori Gauff is playing like she's been here for years already.
She's 15!!! #wimbledon #bbctennis pic.twitter.com/ufcDORGgxI
- BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 1, 2019
With her parents cheering her on in the stands, the Florida teenager was overcome emotion after scoring the victory - which now takes her into the second round of the most prestigious tournament in Tennis.
The moment Cori Gauff realised what she'd just done...#wimbledon #bbctennis pic.twitter.com/uKbUSBQcyz
- BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 1, 2019
"Honestly I don't really know how to feel," she told the BBC post-match. "This was definitely the first time I ever cried after winning a match. I don't even know how to explain how I feel.
"I had to tell myself to stay calm, I'd never played on a court so big. I had to remind myself that the lines are the same size."
She's not even finished school yet and she's still got to wait six years before she can legally drink in the United States but Gauff looks like she has the potential to be something very special - even if she refutes the "future of Tennis" tag she's been labelled with.
15-year-old Cori Gauff:
Took a high school science exam on Wednesday.
Beat Venus Williams at Wimbledon on Monday. pic.twitter.com/nZ8AaL4EUl
- ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 1, 2019
Venus' sister Serena, the proud owner of 23 Grand Slams, showered the prodigy with praise prior to her monumental win this evening.
"She's an exciting young player, and she's so cool," the 37-year old told the BBC.
"She's a great girl, I love her dad - they're just really cool people. It's a great moment for her and for Venus."
Remember the name...
Topics: Serena Williams, Wimbledon