Coco Gauff has become the first 15-year-old in 15 years to break into the world’s top 50 of the WTA rankings.

Her extraordinary explosion onto the world stage last year has been followed up by recent impressive performances at the US and Australian Opens.

At the Australian Open, Gauff was able to defeat defending champion Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 after beating Venus Williams in the first round for the second time since Wimbledon 2019.

Coco won her first WTA title in the indoor competition at Linz, Austria in October last year and doing so she became the youngest WTA champion in 15 years.

Her 2019 season form has been carried through to her performances in 2020 and "Gauffmania" continues to take hold in the tennis world. This year she has already started her season strongly, qualifying for the second week of a major competition at the Australian Open and beating a Top 5 athlete to do so.

Sesil Karatantcheva, 30, from Bulgaria was the last 15-year-old to break the world's top 50 in 2005.

Corey Gauff named Touring Coach of the Year 

Coco's coach and father, Corey Gauff, has also been rewarded for his contribution to his daughter's tennis career after being named the PTR's coach of the year.

The former NCAA Division I basketball player has overseen Coco's career so far and transition to the WTA tour over the past two seasons. He played a huge role in helping Coco break into the World Top 50 from World No.579 last year.

Coco herself has spoken often of the support she receives from both her parents, who were formerly athletes themselves, and especially her father.

"My dad was like, you're 15 and playing Grand Slams. There are many people who dream of playing them so you should just enjoy yourself. And once you enjoy yourself you'll be able to have good results. I finally listened to him, I guess."