Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Co’s Chances of Breaking Serena Williams Record at Wimbledon Weighed by Ex-Pro
Serena Williams’ seven Wimbledon singles titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016) remain a towering benchmark, with no American woman claiming the Venus Rosewater Dish since her last triumph in 2016. As Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and other American WTA players vie for glory at Wimbledon 2025, former pros have weighed their chances of challenging Williams’ record, with mixed predictions highlighting their strengths and obstacles. Here’s an analysis of their prospects, drawing on expert insights and recent performances.
### Coco Gauff: A Rising Star with Grass-Court Challenges
Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2025 French Open champion, is a focal point for American hopes, bolstered by her recent Grand Slam success and endorsements from figures like Lewis Hamilton, who predicted her Wimbledon win, per *Sportskeeda* (). At 21, Gauff’s two major titles (2023 US Open, 2025 French Open) echo Williams’ early trajectory, with *Express.co.uk* noting she’s the first American woman since Serena in 2002 to win Roland Garros at such a young age (). Her 2019 Wimbledon debut, defeating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4, sparked “Cocomania,” and her recent rediscovery of “child-like confidence” fuels optimism, per *Sportskeeda* ().[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-coco-gauff-gets-massive-confidence-boost-lewis-hamilton-ahead-wimbledon-2025-campaign)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2073229/Coco-Gauff-Wimbledon-Serena-Williams)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-lost-somewhere-coco-gauff-opens-wimbledon-debut-venus-williams-regained-belief)
However, Gauff’s Wimbledon record—never beyond the fourth round (2019, 2021, 2024)—and a 71.05% grass-court win rate (27-11) reveal struggles on the surface, per *EssentiallySports* (). Serena’s ex-coach Rick Macci advised Gauff to control the court’s center and leverage her forehand to break through, warning that grass remains her “trickiest battlefield” (). Andy Roddick, a 2003 US Open champion, expressed skepticism about her grass-court prowess, citing vulnerabilities in her forehand against pace, per *EssentiallySports* (). Despite her athleticism and competitive spirit, described as a “superpower” by *The Athletic* (), Gauff’s path to matching Serena’s seven titles hinges on overcoming her grass-court inconsistency. Facing Dayana Yastremska in the first round on June 30, 2025, she’s a contender but not the favorite.[]
### Madison Keys: Grass-Court Pedigree with Injury Concerns
Madison Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion and world No. 6, is Andy Roddick’s pick to lead American women at Wimbledon, per *ProFootballNetwork* (). Her 25-10 Wimbledon record (71.43% win rate) includes quarter-finals in 2015 and 2023, where an injury forced her retirement against Jasmine Paolini while leading 5-2 in the third set, per *BBC Sport* (). Keys’ powerful serve and forehand, among the WTA’s best, suit grass, as Roddick noted: “She’s well versed on the surface… heading towards a big result last year before she got hurt” (). Her 2025 Australian Open title, defeating Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, showcases her ability to topple top players, per *BBC Sport* ().[](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tennis/andy-roddick-reveals-american-favorite-wimbledon-not-coco-gauff-jessica-pegula/)[]
Yet, Keys’ history of injuries and inconsistency—evident in her 60 unforced errors against Gauff in the 2025 French Open quarter-finals (6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1)—poses risks, per *BBC Sport* (). Martina Navratilova included Keys among her top eight contenders but favored others like Sabalenka, per @TrackerTennis (). At 30, Keys’ window to chase Serena’s record is narrower, but her grass-court comfort makes her a stronger immediate threat than Gauff for a single title. She faces Anastasia Potapova in the first round, with a potential Sabalenka clash looming.[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cpw7jw52dv1o)
### Other American Contenders: Pegula and Anisimova
Jessica Pegula, world No. 5, was a surprise pick by former pro Mardy Fish for Wimbledon glory, tweeting, “Jess Pegula gonna win Wimbledon,” envisioning an American sweep of 2025 majors, per *EssentiallySports* (). Despite a 2023 Wimbledon quarter-final, Pegula’s 8-5 grass record and a second-round exit in 2024 temper expectations. Her steady baseline game lacks the explosive grass-court weapons of Keys or Gauff, and her French Open upset by Lois Boisson highlights vulnerabilities, per *EssentiallySports* ().[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-bold-wimbledon-pick-surfaces-as-coco-gauff-and-madison-keys-inspire-new-american-dream-in-two-thousand-twenty-five/)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-bold-wimbledon-pick-surfaces-as-coco-gauff-and-madison-keys-inspire-new-american-dream-in-two-thousand-twenty-five/)
Amanda Anisimova, a 2022 Wimbledon quarter-finalist, was backed by ex-WTA pro Coco Vandeweghe as a dark horse over Gauff and Keys, per *EssentiallySports* (). Anisimova’s 2025 Qatar Open WTA 1000 title and Queen’s Club final show promise, but her 25-12 season record and pressure struggles suggest she’s a long shot for Serena’s mark, per *EssentiallySports* (). Navratilova’s list also omits Pegula and Anisimova, focusing on established names, per @TrackerTennis ().[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-coco-gauff-madison-keys-snubbed-as-twenty-three-year-old-underdog-draws-bold-wimbledon-prediction/)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-coco-gauff-madison-keys-snubbed-as-twenty-three-year-old-underdog-draws-bold-wimbledon-prediction/)
### Ex-Pro Analysis and Serena’s Record
Serena’s seven Wimbledon titles, part of her 23 Grand Slam singles crowns, set a daunting standard. Chris Evert, an 18-time major champion, predicted Gauff could win “10, 12, 14 majors” due to her love for the game, per *ESPN* (). However, Roddick’s preference for Keys and Vandeweghe’s Anisimova pick reflect divided opinions on who best carries the American torch. Navratilova’s snub of Gauff as the top favorite, prioritizing Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, underscores grass-specific challenges, per @TrackerTennis (). Gauff’s youth offers the longest runway to approach Serena’s record, but her 4-6 Wimbledon record lags behind Keys’ 25-10. Neither has reached a Wimbledon semi-final, a critical step toward Serena’s haul.[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45469835/2025-french-open-title-coco-gauff-women-winner)
### Chances of Breaking Serena’s Record
– **Gauff**: Her athleticism, 74.56% clay win rate, and 70.18% hard-court success () suggest potential for multiple majors, but grass remains elusive. A Channel Slam (French Open and Wimbledon in 2025), last achieved by Serena in 2015, is possible but ambitious, per *Sportskeeda* (). Long-term, she’s the closest to Serena’s trajectory but needs a Wimbledon breakthrough.[
– **Keys**: Her power game aligns with grass, and her 2025 major title proves her ceiling. At 30, accumulating seven Wimbledon titles is improbable, but one or two are within reach if she stays healthy.
– **Pegula and Anisimova**: Both lack the consistent major success to realistically challenge Serena’s record, though a single Wimbledon title isn’t impossible, especially for Anisimova’s raw talent.
Conclusion
Gauff and Keys lead American hopes, with Gauff’s youth and Keys’ grass-court pedigree offering distinct paths. Ex-pros like Evert see Gauff as Serena’s heir, but Roddick and Macci highlight grass-court hurdles, favoring Keys short-term. The @MSports_all post on X noted Gauff’s Channel Slam dream, but Navratilova’s analysis leans toward non-Americans (). Neither Gauff nor Keys is likely to match Serena’s seven Wimbledon titles soon, but a 2025 victory could spark their pursuit, with Gauff’s long-term potential strongest.
