Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy and world No. 2, faced a devastating first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, losing 7-6(3), 6-1 to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. The shocking defeat, one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, left fans and analysts stunned, given Gauff’s recent triumph at the 2025 French Open. Her mother, Candi Gauff, was visibly emotional, shedding tears as she spoke about the toll this loss took on her daughter’s spirit.

The match on No. 1 Court exposed vulnerabilities in Gauff’s game, particularly on grass, where she struggled with nine double faults and 29 unforced errors. Yastremska’s aggressive playstyle overwhelmed Gauff, who couldn’t find the rhythm that had carried her to Grand Slam glory just weeks earlier. Candi, in a heartfelt moment, shared, “This is something no one wants to happen… seeing her struggle like this breaks my heart.”

Despite the setback, Gauff’s camp remains optimistic, emphasizing her youth and resilience as key to bouncing back. Candi hinted at a turning point, saying, “I think that time has come for Coco to grow from this and come back stronger.” The defeat, while painful, is seen as a learning opportunity for the young star, who has yet to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Gauff herself acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass, noting the quick turnaround after her French Open victory. “I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” she admitted, reflecting on the mental fatigue that affected her preparation. She vowed to adjust her approach for future grass-court seasons, determined not to let this define her career.

Fans, though heartbroken, rallied around Gauff on social media, expressing admiration for her grace under pressure. Many pointed to her historic 2019 Wimbledon run, where she defeated Venus Williams at age 15, as proof of her potential to conquer grass. Candi’s emotional words resonated deeply, with one fan tweeting, “Coco’s mom crying shows how much they’ve sacrificed— she’ll rise again.”

The loss marked a rare low point in Gauff’s meteoric rise, which includes two Grand Slam titles and a career-high No. 2 ranking. Her struggles on grass, where her topspin-heavy forehand is less effective, have been a recurring challenge, as noted by analysts like Tracy Austin. Yet, Gauff’s competitive spirit and work ethic suggest this setback is temporary, not terminal.

Candi’s tears were not just for the loss but for the weight of expectations on her daughter’s young shoulders. “Coco’s always been a fighter, but sometimes even fighters need a moment to breathe,” she said. The tennis world, while shocked, sees this as part of Gauff’s journey toward greatness.

Gauff’s next steps involve regrouping for the hard-court season, with the US Open as a major target where she previously won in 2023. She expressed a pragmatic outlook, stating, “Maybe losing here first round isn’t the worst thing because I have time to reset.” Her mother’s support, combined with her own determination, fuels hope for a strong comeback.

The Wimbledon upset sparked discussions about the unpredictable nature of grass-court tennis, where even top seeds like Gauff and Jessica Pegula fell early. A record-tying 23 seeded players exited in the first round, highlighting the surface’s unique demands. Gauff’s loss, though, stood out due to her status as a French Open champion and a fan favorite.

Candi’s emotional reaction underscored the personal sacrifices behind Coco’s career, from her parents leaving their jobs to focus on her training. “We’ve given everything for her dream, and seeing her hurt like this is tough,” Candi shared. Yet, she remained confident, adding, “Coco’s heart is bigger than this loss—she’ll be back.”

Gauff’s post-match comments reflected maturity beyond her years, as she refused to dwell on the defeat. “I don’t like losing, but I’m not going to let this stop me,” she said firmly. Her focus now shifts to refining her game and preparing for the North American hard-court swing.

The tennis community, while saddened, sees Gauff’s loss as a chapter in her evolving story, not the end. Her mother’s tears captured the raw emotion of a family deeply invested in her success. As Coco moves forward, her resilience and support system will likely turn this heartbreak into fuel for future triumphs.