Does Coco Gauff have a grass court problem after American admits to Wimbledon mental block?

There just seems to be something about Wimbledon for Coco Gauff – and not in a way she would like.

It’s the only major where the two-time Grand Slam champion has failed to make the quarterfinal in her seven years competing on the tour.

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Gauff is among the big names who will get the tournament underway on Monday, beginning her seventh Wimbledon campaign against Germany‘s Tamara Korpatsch on Court No 2.

It’s all the more ironic given that it was the grass courts of SW19 that Gauff announced herself to the world

In 2019, as a 15-year-old qualifier, she stunned five-time champion Venus Williams on Court No 1 in the first round and went on to make the last 16, thrilling the London crowds.

Since then the American has the same number of first round exits as she has runs to the Round of 16.

Away from London, Gauff has thrived, winning Grand Slam titles in New York in 2023 and Paris in 2025 to become the first American since Serena Williams to win two major singles titles.

Ahead of her first round match, the 22-year-old faced the media on Saturday and her admission about the surface offered a glimpse into how she is feeling.

Telling admission over grass court struggles

“The truth is, the grass and I don’t mix well,” said Gauff who is seeded seventh for this year’s tournament.

“Despite everything, I still have very good memories. I’ve reached the fourth round here twice, and I sincerely believe I have the level to perform well.

“For me, it all comes down to confidence. Also, I won’t lie to you: in recent years, I haven’t had the best draws at Wimbledon, and that has also played a role.

“It is a surface where I’m still learning. I don’t think it’s natural for me yet, but we’re going to work on it.

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“The only solution is to keep playing. You have to try things, make mistakes, and learn. Honestly, I think I’m training better on grass now than I ever have since I’ve been playing Wimbledon.

“Does that mean I’m going to have a great match on Monday? I don’t know, I hope so.”

Korpatsch, the world No. 78, has never gone beyond the third round of a Grand Slam, represents the start of a tough-looking draw for Gauff.

Beaten by Sofia Kenin in 2023 and as the second seed by Dayana Yastremenka in 2025

Emma Navarro, Amanda Anisimova and Angelique Kerber have also ended her Wimbledons in the past – underlining her point about tough draws.

This year doesn’t look much easier, where former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic looms as a Round of 16 opponent in a half of the draw that also features Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka.

What is Coco Gauff’s best Wimbledon run?

However Gauff is one of the best players on the planet, who has won on all surfaces and should be capable of winning on grass – so her struggles in south-west London remain a surprise.

Perhaps her best hope is to rekindle the joy of seven years ago.

She battled through three rounds of qualifying as a 15-year-old to then beat Williams in the first round.

That result saw her become the youngest player since Capriati in 1991 to win a main draw match at the Championships

She backed it up with two more wins before eventually falling to Simona Halep in round four.

There may be something to be said for being free of the burden of expectation – no-one expected anything of Gauff at that tournament, she played freely.

Now, at every tournament she competes, there is expectation – not just a run, but of a title.

She has backed that up to win two brilliant Grand Slam titles, two further semi-finals and five quarter-finals.

It’s time for Wimbledon to see the real Coco.

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