3 minute read

The Australian Open's breakout star, American teenager Coco Gauff, is determined to enjoy the moment and not get down about losing in the fourth round.

American teen sensation Coco Gauff is going to savour her Australian Open run rather than fixate on a fourth-round exit.

The 15-year-old knocked out defending champion Naomi Osaka and seven-time major winner Venus Williams (for the second time at a grand slam) during a giant-killing spree.

But fellow American Sofia Kenin ended Gauff's Melbourne Park debut on Sunday, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-0 comeback victory.

"I'm doing well right now at 15. I still have so much I feel like I can get better on. Even my parents, my team, they all believe I can get better," Gauff said.

"I don't even think this is close to a peak for me, even though I'm doing well right now.

"I'm definitely going to savour this and continue to kind of build and get better to work for moments like this.

"Even today, even though I lost, I still had a lot of fun."

Gauff is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of world No.52 when the latest WTA rankings are released.

As a junior, she's still restricted by how many tournaments she can play, but Gauff is planning on tackling the French Open.

The whiz kid has taken three majors by storm already, reaching last year's round of 16 at Wimbledon and the US Open third round.

"I guess what surprised me is how calm I was going into all these matches. I wasn't really nervous," Gauff said.

"I'm happy that I'm not letting the moment seem too big than what it is."