Cori Gauff, the 15-year-old United States tennis player broke down in tears on Monday night after dispatching seasoned tennis ace, Venus Williams in two straight sets of 6-4, 6-4 at the ongoing Wimbledon Open . 

Gauff, the youngest ever player to qualify for Wimbledon since it became professional beat the 39-year-old Williams who she said was one of those who inspired her to take up the sport .

“I never thought this would happen. I’m literally living my dream right now. Not many people get to say that. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her (Venus),” Gauff, who is ranked 313th said after the match.

She added: “I was telling her that she was so inspiring. I always wanted to tell her that. I don’t really know how to feel, this is the first time I’ve cried after a match, after winning.

“My parents will be super happy, my dad was jumping up every time I won a point. I’m so happy they spent all their time on me and my brothers and making sure we’re successful.”

Williams, who had won four of her seven Grand Slam titles before Gauff was even born in 2004, congratulated the teenager at the net and encouraged her to keep going. 

Gauff, nicknamed ‘Coco’ is the youngest player in the Open era to advance through qualifying to reach Wimbledon’s main draw.

She won the first set in 35 minutes and held three match points in the second before Williams forced break point. However, the veteran could not convert her chance and Gauff made the most of her fourth match point to win in 1 hour 19 minutes.

Gauff was born in Georgia on March 13, 2004 to father, Corey who was a college basketball star and mother, Candi, a talented college track and field athlete. She has two younger brothers.

The teenager, who is coached by her father in Delray Beach, Florida has also enjoyed spells training with Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou in France.

She is not only the 12th youngest overall to play in the Wimbledon main draw but the youngest to come through qualifying. She is also the youngest player to win a singles match at Wimbledon since Jennifer Capriati in 1991.

Last year, Gauff raised her profile by winning the French Open Girl’s Championship. She also reached the quarter finals of Junior Wimbledon. This year, she became the youngest woman to win a grand slam qualifying match in the French Open.

Meanwhile, in another first-day Wimbledon shocker, the world’s number 2, Japan’s Naomi Osaka was beaten 7-6, 6-2 by Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.