"She's always a contender to win" - Gauff believes Serena Williams is still a threat at Wimbledon

American youngster Coco Gauff thinks Serena Williams could be a serious title contender at Wimbledon despite her taking time away from tennis over the past year.

Gauff believes her compatriot can go far at this year’s grass court Grand Slam despite turning 40, and even after a disappointing run last year when she was forced to retire due to injury in the opening round.

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Although the 18-year-old thinks Williams has a fighting chance, she also suggested that this tournament could possibly be her swansong.

“As a player we all know she’s at the end of her career,” said Gauff. “You know you just don’t know how many more times you’re going to see her.

“I think whenever she’s in a tournament she’s always a contender to win, even if she hadn’t played for a year.”

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On the other end of the scale, Gauff is only just getting started in the tennis world, first introducing herself as a 15-year-old back in 2019 when she reached the last 16 at Wimbledon.

“Honestly I feel like I’m a lot more relaxed than when I was considered the sensation or whatever,” explained the World No.12. “I mean, I did well, wasn’t expecting to, but it felt like everybody wanted the results to happen now, now, now. I feel like I learned so much not to put pressure on now, now, now.

“This time around, even though I’m considered a favorite, I don’t feel like it as much as I did when I was 15 or 16.”

Gauff takes on Elena-Gabriela Ruse from Romania in the opening round of the Wimbledon Championships , while Williams will face France's Harmony Tan.