Coco Gauff reborn at Wimbledon a year after dismal first-round exit

Half a decade ago, Coco Gauff made her debut at Wimbledon, surprising everyone by making it to the fourth round in her first major tournament.

Strangely, even though she seems perfectly suited for playing on grass, she has not advanced past the fourth round since. To make matters worse, she was unexpectedly eliminated in the first round last year by Sofia Kenin.

After leaving the sport and feeling unsure of her position, she bounced back and, in just two months, she won her first grand slam title at the US Open, which was held in her home country.

Reflecting on the difference between now and a year ago, the player ranked second in the world expressed, "I wish that version of myself from a year ago, after the match, could see where I am now. It was a challenging time for me."

I was feeling very down and overwhelmed during the first few weeks after that. It was hard for me to come to terms with having so much time on my hands. When you're in that situation, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

"I believe I have matured significantly. I am thankful for using that difficult moment as motivation to improve. I recognize that I still have room to grow and improve. That experience showed me that tough times are temporary. The following part of the season was the most successful I have ever had."

Gauff, who is just 20 years old, will be facing off against American Caroline Dolehide in the first round today. She is considered one of the top three contenders in the women's competition, along with Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Ons Jabeur.

In contrast, Swiatek arrives at the All England Club without having played any matches on grass, as she has not participated in any competitions since her victory at the French Open.

Up until now, the top-ranked player in the world has only reached the quarter-finals at best. She confessed to having trouble mastering the surface.

"In the start, it was definitely challenging," she said about her initial experiences on grass this summer. "With each passing day, I feel like I'm finding my groove and connecting with the ball more. I'm feeling confident."