Coco Gauff, a 15 year-old qualifier, made a surprising run to the fourth round of Wimbledon 2019 and few people can understand her feelings.Alexandra Stevenson is one such person. Alexandra Stevenson, then 18 years old, was just weeks away from graduating highschool. Her incredible story and gutsy play led her to the semifinals of the All England Club 1999.Stevenson stated that she struggled to adapt after Wimbledon because of the spotlight being placed on the biggest stage in tennis. "But Coco has had a great 2021, and she's come back stronger than ever."Both women are back at Wimbledon this season -- Gauff seems to be finding grass-court magic again for the second time in her career, while Stevenson works as a TV analyst for ESPN.To beat Kaja Juvan 6-3, 3-1, Gauff took just 65 minutes. Many had initially planned to match Serena Williams, but Williams was forced to withdraw from her first match because of injury. Instead, Gauff will face No. On Monday, Angelique Kerber, 25, the 25th seed and 2018 Wimbledon champion will take on Gauff.Stevenson stated, "That match will tell us a lot." "The winner will have a great chance to make it to the final," Stevenson said.In 1999, Stevenson lost to Lindsay Davenport in the final. She was physically and mentally exhausted after her ninth match in the tournament. She wasn't ready for such long matches at such high levels. Still, she jumped to No. She still jumped to No. 36 in the rankings. Stevenson stated that the next step was the most difficult because she felt like she had a target among her peers. Everything around her changed: the expectations, the hype, and the stares from strangers.Stevenson, who is mixed-race, said that "all these girls were gunning to me." It was like the US Open 2019 when all the players tried to beat Coco because they didn’t want to lose. But, I hate to admit it, there were racial tendencies. They didn't want another girl from a different race. This was huge in 1999 and 2000. Everyone wants to gloss over the details, but Venus and Serena and me were not able to. I didn't have anyone to help me, so I had to figure out my own way.Stevenson was a normal child. Stevenson played in junior events, but she went to a traditional highschool and skipped 1999 French Open to go to prom and perform in "Grease." Stevenson made an agreement with Samantha that she would turn professional and give up her college eligibility if reached the semifinals. She arrived in Birmingham, England, for a tune up event before Wimbledon. She didn't know there were special shoes for grass surfaces and was forced to borrow one from Craig Kardon, her coach. She won her three qualifying matches and was invited to the Wimbledon main draw. She was the No. She had been the No. 1 seed in qualifying but Kardon and her mom didn't tell Kardon until after it was over. They didn't want her feeling any pressure.After securing her spot in the tournament, Stevenson went to Wimbledon Village for dinner. Steffi Graf, the next table, congratulated Stevenson and she realized how unique the opportunity was. Kardon took her to the grounds and stopped at each court. He also shared his memories and the history of the area.Stevenson stated that he felt at home there from the moment he stepped through the gates. "I've been watching Wimbledon since I was five years old and it felt like it was the place I was meant to go. It was Wimbledon that I felt it.Alexandra Stevenson remarked on Coco Gauff’s media training and support. AP Photo/Alberto PezzaliAlthough Gauff was not well-known to casual tennis fans at the time, those who knew her were already identifying her as a star-in-the making. At the age of 11, she had been attending Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy and was the youngest finalist for girls in US Open history. At 14, she won the French Open junior title. Soon after, she signed with Roger Federer’s agency and inked lucrative contracts with New Balance and Head.In the first round of Wimbledon 2019, she beat Venus Williams, one her childhood heroes, before a packed Court 1 crowd. Stevenson was not surprised by Gauff's ability to be so accomplished despite her young age.Stevenson stated that Stevenson is surrounded by the best people in all aspects of her life. Stevenson said that this includes trainers, physios, and even media training. Although it wasn't as common when I started, it made a big difference. Although I cannot go back in time, I wish I had the same support as she.Gauff was nicknamed "CocoMania" and became the talk of the tournament. Fans and journalists loved her candor during interviews, which made her matches a must-see event. After losing the first set to Polona Hercog, she was faced with match point at 5:2 in the second. She then rallied for an unlikely comeback on Centre Court.Many A-listers including Michelle Obama, Tina Knowles and-Lawson sent in tweets. Although her parents tried to protect her, her father said that she was aware of all the attention she was getting. Gauff claimed that she screamed when Beyonce's mother recognized her. Despite losing to Simona Halep in the next round, her status was growing. She was already wearing a New Balance custom outfit and was promoting the brand's "Call me Coco” campaign by the time the US Open began less than two months later. Stevenson said she reached the third round, which was a remarkable feat considering all the pressure on her. She also won her first WTA singles title in October.The No. Gauff, ranked 23rd, looks set for her next big breakthrough. Gauff reached the quarterfinals of the French Open last month and has won three straight-set victories at the All England Club. Her second-round match was the highlight on Centre Court.Stevenson did not play on Centre Court until the semifinals. Instead, she was relegated for the majority of her run to the outer courts before being placed on the old Court No. For the quarterfinals, Stevenson was relegated to the outer courts for most of her run before being moved on to the old Court No. 2. She noted that women were rarely allowed to play in the main arena until the end of the tournament. Stevenson can relate to Gauff’s self-belief and attitude, but that's only one of many differences she sees in her experience.After her win in the second round, Gauff stated that "[It's]] not every day that you step on to the court you're playing your best tennis so it's not always everyday you get to play your greatest tennis so I don't expect anything." "What I can say is that I believe more. I don’t like the word "expectations", I don’t like that word. I prefer the word ‘belief'. I believe that I can win.Alexandra Stevenson reached Wimbledon semifinals 1999, before being defeated by Lindsey Davenport, eventual Wimbledon champion. Fiona Hanson/PA Images via Getty Images"I believe that I believed that in 2019 and that I still believe it now. Nothing has changed. No matter what ranking I am in, my goal is to win the tournament every time regardless of what others think. However, I can say that my goal is clearer now than in 2019. My belief and the feeling that I can get far is stronger than ever.Stevenson said, "When my belief in winning was challenged by the media, but now I can say it. She should have faith in her abilities.Gauff isn’t the only teenager making waves this year. After making her WTA maindraw debut, Gauff entered the tournament ranked No. Emma Raducanu (18-year-old wildcard) advanced to the fourth round by beating Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday. Raducau is the youngest woman from Britain to reach the second week of Wimbledon in Open Era history.Raducanu, just like Stevenson 22 years ago completed the equivalent of her high school studies before the grass court season. Stevenson also saw something in Raducanu that was not there, but she sees something in her that she didn’t see.Stevenson stated that she arrived prepared to play and was ready to go. "The preparation is more of a business. Although she is just finishing high school, her team has been working with her to train her to become a professional tennis player. It wasn't true for me. I was trying to get to college, and came to Wimbledon just to play. ... She is supported by her team and has the athleticism, all-round game and mental preparedness for any situation.Stevenson stated that she was thrilled to see Gauff achieve such remarkable results.Stevenson stated, "It was an entirely different time in 1999." It's thrilling to see the things her team has done for her, but also the things she's done for her and her belief in herself. Coco doesn't require my advice. She's got all her advice. But, one of the most difficult things about tennis is that everyone is a pro and wants you to win everything immediately. "I hope she believes in herself, and doesn't have expectations despite everything.
