Coco Gauff, the 2022 Roland Garros runner-up, confirmed her participation in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, but she did not do so in the usual official way.
Understandably, the 18-year-old is currently taking some deserved time off. That is undoubtedly much needed after Gauff's superb run at Roland-Garros in both singles and doubles.
The American reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, not dropping a set along the way. Unfortunately for her fans, the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek was too strong for Gauff in the final.
She replicated that achievement in doubles. Alongside Jessica Pegula, Gauff progressed to the final in the women's doubles. Despite winning the opening set, she and Pegula lost to Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.
Gauff's outstanding tournament in Paris makes it easy to forget that she initially made a name for herself at Wimbledon three years ago. At the age of just 15, the teenager made it to the fourth round, being knocked out by the eventual champion Simona Halep.
That run means Gauff is already a fan favourite at SW19. Unsurprisingly, her fans and the wider tennis community are desperate to see her very watchable brand of tennis on the lush grass courts in London.
After Gauff shared a picture in Cannes after the French Open ended, one of her fans asked her on Instagram whether she would be playing at Wimbledon this year. The American's reply could not have been shorter or clearer.
"Yes"
Gauff's short and sweet response will put any concerns about whether she could skip the third Grand Slam of the year to rest. Some have feared that top players could withdraw due to Wimbledon having no ranking points this year, but that has not been the case yet.
Every women's event is better when Gauff is present. Hopefully, she will be able to entertain the fans at Wimbledon this year.