Cori Gauff has what it takes to be a champion, says Serena Williams’ coach as teen bids for quarter-final place

Teen tennis prodigy Cori Gauff was “an incredible athlete” even at the age of 10, Serena Williams’s coach said today.

Patrick Mouratoglou mentored the young American when she attended his academy in Nice aged just 10, and said he still has footage of a number of tests she passed to gain a place.

The 15-year-old, who has stunned fans with her progress at this year’s championships, is being tipped as the next tennis superstar.

Mouratoglou, who has been coaching Williams since 2012, said: “She [Gauff] was 10 years old. We did some physical tests, some tennis tests, had her play some practice matches. She was an incredible athlete already. I thought, ‘Wow, the potential athlete she can be is unbelievable’.”

He added: “She was a great competitor. Someone who is able to lift their level in the matches and play better than in practice, which is a sign of someone who is a great competitor — very important for tennis. And her personality. When you put these three things together you feel the potential is really big, and that is why, of course, I accepted her and I said to my people, ‘This one is going to be big.’ And she just proved me right.”

“Cocomania” was in full force today as the youngster from Florida faced former world No 1 Simona Halep for a place in the quarter-finals.