Toby Melville/Reuters
WIMBLEDON, England — Cori Gauff stood near the net watching a lob from Polona Hercog sail over her head and across the shadows at Centre Court early Friday evening.
“Please go out, please,” Gauff said later, describing her thoughts.
The 15,000 spectators in the stands — most of them newly minted Gauff supporters — were probably thinking the same thing.
If the lob went in, it would be a winner for Hercog. If it went out, another milestone would belong to the 15-year-old who has, over the past five days, earned scores of fans not only at this tournament but worldwide.