In what might be the quirkiest plot twist of this year’s Wimbledon, Coco Gauff is set to face an opponent who not only has an allergy to grass — the very surface they’re competing on — but also moonlights as a pop singer. Yes, you read that correctly. Tennis meets The Voice, with a dash of seasonal hay fever.
Gauff, the 20-year-old American phenom, is no stranger to unusual matchups and bizarre headlines, but this one is serving drama straight out of a Netflix docuseries. Her second-round opponent, whose name is already buzzing across tennis forums and Spotify playlists alike, reportedly suffers from grass pollen allergies — a cruel twist of fate for a professional tennis player expected to thrive on the lush lawns of the All England Club.
But it doesn’t stop there. Off the court, this mystery challenger is making waves with a budding music career, having already dropped two singles on streaming platforms. Her fans, known cheekily as the “Serve and Slay Squad,” have been lighting up social media with videos of her singing between training sessions — sometimes while icing her knees or blowing her nose.
“She’s got forehands and falsettos,” one fan joked online. Another posted, “Only she can serve an ace and drop a single in the same week.”
Coco Gauff, known for her powerful baseline game and mental fortitude, has remained focused ahead of the match. “I don’t care if she’s allergic to grass or chocolate or peanut butter,” Gauff quipped with a smile. “Once we’re on court, it’s game on.”
Still, fans are already speculating how the allergy might impact the singer-athlete’s performance. Will the grass allergy lead to mid-match sneezing? Will she break into song between changeovers? Could this be the first match in Wimbledon history where a player brings a mic to the post-match interview and hits a high note?
Wimbledon has seen its fair share of eccentrics, from fashion-forward rebels to screamers and serve-bots, but this combo of allergic reactions and vocal aspirations takes the (strawberry and cream) cake.
One thing’s for sure — the cameras will be rolling, the fans will be watching, and the headlines will keep coming. Whether she wins or loses, Gauff’s opponent is guaranteed a standing ovation — either for her backhand or her ballads. Wimbledon, we didn’t expect this duet. But we’re absolutely here for it.
