After securing her place in the semifinals of the Wimbledon Championships for the first time in her career, Coco Gauff lauded Iga Świątek’s triumph at the All England Club for giving her the belief that she could make a deep run at the Grand Slam.
Gauff has overcome all expectations with her run at Wimbledon and defied the odds with her comeback win over Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff Explains How Iga Świątek’s Wimbledon Triumph Inspired Her Run
Following her 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Pegula on Tuesday, Gauff spoke about how Świątek’s triumph at Wimbledon last year helped her change her mindset about the grass-court Grand Slam.
Gauff had never made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon prior to her run this year but revealed that seeing Świątek win last year gave her the belief to go on a similar run. Her comments further highlighted the mutual respect and friendship they share off the court.
“Definitely seeing her win gave me more belief, because we do have similar game styles, especially on the forehand wing. It definitely gave me more belief,” Gauff said during her post-match press conference.
A clay-court specialist, Świątek surpassed all expectations by winning the Wimbledon Championships last year for her sixth Grand Slam title.
Świątek’s title defense at the Wimbledon Championships did not go according to plan this year as she was eliminated in the third round by Alexandra Eala. It has been a difficult season for the Pole, who is set to drop out of the top five following the conclusion of the Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Gauff is in the midst of a career-best run at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. Not only is the 22-year-old looking to win a third Grand Slam title, but she is also aiming to end her WTA Tour title drought, which has now lasted nine months.
Gauff has had to do it the hard way to make her maiden semifinal at the Wimbledon Championships, needing three sets to win her last four matches. Next up for the American is another tough clash against Karolína Muchová, who is on a nine-match winning streak and defeated Naomi Osaka in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
The 29-year-old will certainly present Coco Gauff with a tough matchup, even though the American has had the upper hand in this head-to-head, leading 6-1. She has beaten Muchová twice this year, although the Czech player triumphed in their most recent encounter in Stuttgart.
