Coco Gauff has an honors list anyone would be proud off at just 20.
The American is now preparing for the Australian Open, a tournament where a famous Roger Federer moment continues to inspire her Grand Slam hopes.
Federer and Gauff share similarities on the court that have seen the pair catapulted into global stardom at early ages.
The Swiss was just 21 years old when he won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2003 while Gauff was 19 when she secured her first major at the US Open in 2023.
The American is now preparing for the start of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne – a tournament where she reached the fourth round in her debut aged just 15 and the semifinal in 2024.
Gauff’s breakthrough run in 2020 saw her knock off Venus Williams in the first round and defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round before falling to eventual champion Sofia Kenin
Part of that success was the conversation she had with Federer and the impact that had on her.
“Yes, someone who came up to me was Roger [Federer], and that definitely had a big impact, because I think I won French Open,” said Gauff.
Federer and Gauff are part of the same agency in Team8, a group which the Swiss great founded himself with his agent Tony Godsick in 2013.
The group snapped up Gauff when she was just 14 and Federer has maintained close ties with the American ever since, something the 20-year-old is very appreciative off.
“I saw Roger first [after her Australian Open win] inside he told me, Congrats. I was, like, Thank you, trying to be calm. Inside, I was, like, wow.”
Gauff also came out to explain the impact on her career being part of the Federer stable has had.
“Yes and no,” Gauff said. “I feel like Roger would have always been nice to me regardless, even though we have the Team8 connection.
“He’s a nice person, and not just to me but I see him with other players, as well. He’s that type of guy.
“No matter how many times you speak to him, you’re still kind of in awe of his whole presence and what he’s done on the court and off the court.”
That 2020 Australian Open served to be a memorable one for Gauff , after not only reaching the fourth round but also her opening win over Venus Williams.
The 2023 US Open champion famously also beat Williams on her Wimbledon debut in 2019, where she also reached the fourth round.
Gauff is yet to win the Australian Open and her best result came in last year’s edition when she reached the semi-finals but lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
The 2025 Australian Open kicks off on Sunday January 17 and Gauff has been drawn to play fellow American Kenin in the first round, a repeat of the match that ended Gauff’s debut.