Onumba.com – When 15-year old tennis prodigy Cori “Coco” Gauff knocked off Venus Williams from the first round of the Wimbledon recently, it unleashed a massive shockwave across the world of tennis.

Cori “Coco” Gauff

Wildly agog and flabbergasted about what had happened, Gauff disarmingly said in an interview, “I don’t really know how to feel” beating her idol. Well, it’s quite safe to say that her feeling reflects a humble and understanding metaphor for saying ‘it feels damn good.’

But for Williams, the 39-year old tennis icon, it was a different kind of feeling: awful.

And it wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill wallop or a cliffhanger sort of beating.

Oh no, it was a full-throated shellacking.

Gauff, who was playing in her first grand slam match, defeated Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, unleashing her arsenal of moves while putting on a spectacular display of power, athleticism, speed and tenacity that absolutely overwhelmed the hoary veteran.

Perhaps, this ought to serve as an open impetus for Williams to pack it in. And there have been other stingingly humiliating losses before this, some of them suffered at the hands of her superstar sister Serena who now thoroughly dwarfs her in all aspects of career accomplishments.

Even though Williams’ professional decline has been visible over the years through which she toiled in mediocrity from one tournament to another, perhaps this recent loss screams the longest and loudest for retirement.

Heading into the match, Williams was ranked 44th by the Women’s Tennis Association compared to Gauff’s 313th place ranking.

And then coming out, she probably fell off the ranking cliff altogether.

During the customary end of match pleasantries at the net, a triumphant Gauff thanked her hero and told her what she meant to her personally and the sport of tennis.

“I was just telling her thank you for everything she’s done for the sport,” Gauff said. “She’s been an inspiration for many people. I was just really telling her thank you.”

Gauff added: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”

Williams was gracious in defeat.

“I think the sky’s the limit. it really is,” she said of Gauff, congratulating her on her huge victory, and rooting her on with the words, “keep going.”

One thing is clear. This was a colossally disappointing performance for Williams. Now, whether or not she will soldier on or retire obviously remains to be seen.

My guess?  She will hang around.