Coco Gauff hailed Roger Federer for his words of wisdom as the 15-year-old US prodigy on Sunday became the youngest champion on the WTA Tour since 2004, reports AFP.
Gauff defeated 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 in the Linz final for her maiden title. The teenager is managed by Federer's Team8 and even shares an Italian pasta sponsor with the 20-time major winner.
On Sunday, she revealed that a pep-talk by the Swiss superstar, after she suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open junior event, has helped her on a path which this year saw her reach the last 16 at Wimbledon and US Open third round.
"He did give me some advice at the Australian Open in 2018 when I lost in the first round (after being amongst the favourites)," Gauff recalled."He told me not to focus too much on the pressure or the outside drama. He gave me some perspective.
"Now, I try to enjoy the tennis and I barely think of that fist-round loss two years later."
Gauff, meanwhile, confirmed she is "100 percent" ready to play at this week's Luxembourg WTA event where she will enjoy a career-high ranking inside the top 70.
"For sure, I'm 100 percent playing in Luxembourg," said Gauff whose rise has been meteoric -- at the end of 2018, she was 686 in the world.
"I'm excited, it will be my last event for the year. I'm playing doubles there also (with regular partner Caty McNally).
