‘It can be overwhelming’: Talia Gibson on her rapid rise and going toe-to-toe with the big hitters

‘It’s a big step going from nobody really knowing who you are’: Australia’s Talia Gibson is in the spotlight after beating five top 20-ranked tennis players at WTA 1000 tournaments in March. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

She is the little-known Australian who has the tennis world talking, with the power to go toe-to-toe with the biggest hitters in the game.

Talia Gibson became the youngest player in seven years to reach a quarter-final in her debut at one of the not-quite-grand-slam tournaments – known as WTA 1000s – last month, as part of an eye-catching run during which she beat five top 20-ranked players.