Gauff, 15, Beats Her Idol, Venus, at Wimbeldon
LONDON (Dispatches) - Fifteen-year-old American qualifier Cori Gauff caused a stunning upset by defeating five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round.
World number 313 Gauff beat Williams - 24 years her senior at 39 - 6-4 6-4.
Fellow American Williams had won four Grand Slam titles - including two at Wimbledon - before Gauff was born.
"It's the first time I have ever cried after winning a match," said Gauff, who previously said Venus and sister Serena were her "idols".
"I don't know how to explain how I feel.
"I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm, I had to remind myself that the lines are the same lines, the courts are the same size and after every point I told myself 'stay calm'."
Gauff will play Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova - 15 years her senior - in the second round.
Williams turned professional 10 years before her opponent was born, with Gauff being the youngest player to qualify for the main Wimbledon draw since the Open era began in 1968.
World number 313 Gauff beat Williams - 24 years her senior at 39 - 6-4 6-4.
Fellow American Williams had won four Grand Slam titles - including two at Wimbledon - before Gauff was born.
"It's the first time I have ever cried after winning a match," said Gauff, who previously said Venus and sister Serena were her "idols".
"I don't know how to explain how I feel.
"I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm, I had to remind myself that the lines are the same lines, the courts are the same size and after every point I told myself 'stay calm'."
Gauff will play Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova - 15 years her senior - in the second round.
Williams turned professional 10 years before her opponent was born, with Gauff being the youngest player to qualify for the main Wimbledon draw since the Open era began in 1968.