In a rare moment of vulnerability, American tennis sensation Coco Gauff has revealed that her shock early exit from Wimbledon left her feeling “overwhelmed” for weeks. The 20-year-old, widely considered one of the brightest stars on the WTA Tour, opened up in a candid interview that shed light on the emotional toll of expectations, pressure, and public scrutiny that come with being in the spotlight.
Gauff, who came into Wimbledon as one of the top seeds and a fan favorite, suffered a surprising loss in the opening rounds, stunning tennis fans and pundits alike. While many brushed it off as “just another upset” in the unpredictable world of Grand Slam tennis, Gauff’s experience behind the scenes was far from business as usual.
“I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders,” Gauff said. “The expectations were really high — from the media, from fans, from myself. When I lost, it felt like I’d let everyone down. I couldn’t sleep properly for days.”
The days after her exit were particularly tough, she admits, marked by self-doubt, overthinking, and emotional exhaustion. “I was replaying every point in my head, wondering what I could’ve done differently. It was overwhelming. I couldn’t just switch off.”
What makes this revelation more striking is Gauff’s usual poise and maturity beyond her years. But this time, she’s peeling back the curtain to show the mental challenges that elite athletes face — especially young women in the limelight.
Fans and fellow players have rallied behind her with messages of support, praising her honesty and reminding her that setbacks are part of every champion’s journey. Former pros and mental health advocates alike have applauded Gauff for speaking up at a time when mental health in sports is becoming an increasingly vital conversation.
“I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel this way,” Gauff said. “It doesn’t make me weak — it makes me human. And the people who really support me understand that.”
Now refocused and training for the hard-court season, Gauff says she’s channeling her disappointment into growth. “I’m turning the page. I’ve learned a lot about myself in these past few weeks. I know what I want to work on, both mentally and physically.”
It’s clear that Coco Gauff is far from done — if anything, she’s more determined than ever. And with this new layer of honesty, she’s becoming not just a tennis icon, but a role model for resilience.
